Epiroc and Ericsson Cooperate on Optimizing Wireless Technology for Mines

Epiroc and Ericsson have agreed to work together to provide mining customers with high-performing LTE and 5G mobile technology solutions.

The technology being developed can be used for both underground and open pit mines.
The technology being developed can be used for both underground and open pit mines.

Epiroc, a leading productivity partner for the mining, infrastructure and natural resources industries, has signed a cooperation agreement with leading communications technology provider Ericsson to jointly help mining companies achieve optimal wireless connectivity in their operations through LTE and 5G technologies.

Mining companies are increasingly seeking to digitalize and automate their operations to increase productivity, enhance operator safety and lower cost. This includes, for example, remotely operating machines from a control room, and collecting machine performance data to optimize use of the equipment. This creates a need for reliable, high-performance wireless connectivity at the mines. Epiroc and Ericsson have agreed to work together to provide mining customers with high-performing LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and 5G mobile technology solutions.  

“We are happy to team up with Ericsson so that our mining customers can get the most reliable and high-performing wireless connectivity possible,” says Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s Senior Executive Vice President Mining and Infrastructure. “This is a crucial step in our ongoing work to ensure mining customers reap all the benefits, including higher productivity and better safety, made possible by digitalization and automation.” At Epiroc’s Control Tower in Örebro, Sweden, customers can explore and develop effective automation and information management solutions for their mining operations.At Epiroc’s Control Tower in Örebro, Sweden, customers can explore and develop effective automation and information management solutions for their mining operations.

“Cellular technology and the introduction of 5G is critical to realize the full value of digitalization and automatization for smart industries,” says Åsa Tamsons, Ericsson’s Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Technologies & New Businesses. “This will open up for new business models and ecosystems across the mining industry, telecom services providers in each market, and Ericsson. By combining our expertise in connectivity and Epiroc’s cutting-edge technology in mining equipment, we will be able to ensure stable and secure mining operations, leading to increased utilization, improved productivity and reduced costs.” 

Key advantages of LTE and 5G solutions compared with other wireless solutions include better coverage, higher reliability and stronger security, especially when machines are in the same area and share information. The technology, which is for both underground and open pit mines, has already been tested on Epiroc’s machines at the company’s test mine in Kvarntorp, Sweden. Further testing will be done before providing the solutions to customers.  

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