Connectivity project for next gen underground mining technology

Industrial 5G could unlock improved productivity, safety, environmental sustainability and global competitiveness in mining.

Next Generation Mining (NGMining ), is a project funded by Business Finland bringing together industrial 5G private networks, edge computing and artificial intelligence (AI) technology based solutions to enable digital transformation in mining. The core theme of the project is to facilitate safe, and sustainable underground mining through productive use of autonomous and connected machinery.

The goal of the NGMining project is to build proof of concept (PoC) experimental systems to evaluate integrated connectivity solutions, which are tested in harsh underground mining environments. The 5G network aspect is to cover spectrum usage in the underground mining environment, 5G modems integrated in relevant machinery and user equipment, and edge computing. Challenges include understanding signal behaviour in underground environments, harsh environments, and network design requirements to ensure underground connectivity with respect to bandwidth, frequency range, latency, reliability, and scalability.

The target is to develop a mine compliant connectivity infrastructure, with integrated solutions that incorporate safety and tracking technologies and AI enablers, for safe and efficient operation of autonomous connected working machines (AGVs) in underground mines. Project phases include use case definition for autonomous machinery in mining, solution evaluation via testing platforms with 4G/5G wireless capabilities, selection of most value-added results for development and commercialization, and pilot implementations in operational customer mines.

VTT is coordinating the joint R&D project with Nokia and Sandvik as the leading industry experts.

‘VTT applies and further strengthens the competences related to telecommunication technology, situation-awareness, sensor technologies, edge computing and AI on new application areas in mining context’, says Sauli Eloranta, Vice President, Safe and connected society, VTT.

“Collaboration across the ecosystem is essential for developing winning technology solutions that will meet productivity and sustainability targets and capture global market share in the growing mining business”, says Jarkko Pellikka, Director, Nokia Unlocking Industrial 5G program.

‘Sandvik is conducting research on 5G connectivity use cases in the mining environment and this NG Mining consortium helps facilitate this with our network partners,’ adds Miika Kaski, Commercialisation and Networks Lead, Sandvik.

The NGMining project also collaborates with the Sustainable Industries X initiative (SIX), as the results on autonomous connected working machines can be exploited in other industries. The two year project includes also University of Oulu as a research partner, as well as Epec, SATEL, Huld, Terrasolid, Outsight, Etteplan, Noptel, Unikie, Iiwari, Millisecond, Wizense ja Indagon as company partners.