Mining Industry
Striving for Autonomous Connected Operations Underground
Summary
This case study research represents a mining industry where digitalization is advancing quickly in mines across the world. Wireless, remote control of autonomous vehicles is already reality, but what kind of benefits and new opportunities can 5G technology enable in building, operating, and maintaining wireless solutions in mining areas – both underground and on the surface? The case company is Sandvik, a digital forerunner in the mining industry providing mines worldwide with advanced automation and teleoperation systems, significantly improving safety and productivity while lowering the total cost of ownership. The company's use cases strive for autonomous connected operations underground. The benefits of 5G technology compared to existing Wi-Fi-based applications are identified and quantified in this case study.