How leading mines achieve real-time operations with private 5G and Smartflow®

From signal to insight: A practical blueprint for the digital mine 

Digital mining operations depend on one capability above all: continuous, dependable connectivity. Autonomous equipment, Industrial IoT sensors, real-time analytics, and AI-driven decision-making only deliver value when operational data flows without interruption across the mine.

In underground networks that can extend for tens or even hundreds of kilometers, connectivity gaps create operational blind spots. Personnel tracking becomes fragmented, environmental monitoring becomes inconsistent, and automated systems lose visibility.

This joint paper from Ericsson and Becker/LASEC explores how mining operations can overcome these limitations. By combining Ericsson Private 5G with LASEC’s Smartflow digital platform, mines can create a unified architecture that connects workers, equipment, and environmental systems in real time—turning raw signals into operational insights and enabling digital mines at scale.

Why legacy communication stacks hold mines back  

Many mining operations rely on communications infrastructure built over decades, where voice, data, monitoring, and automation systems operate across separate networks.

Typical environments include:

• VHF or UHF networks for voice
• Wi-Fi access points for localized data
• Independent monitoring systems
• Industrial Ethernet infrastructure in fixed locations

While these technologies can function individually, together they often create coverage gaps and operational silos. Underground mines can stretch across large and constantly shifting production zones, making consistent connectivity difficult to maintain.

The result is partial operational awareness:

• Personnel tracking in some areas but not others
• Environmental sensors reporting inconsistently
• Equipment telemetry that drops during mobility
• Safety systems that only function where connectivity exists

As mines move toward automation and digitalization, these limitations become increasingly difficult—and costly—to manage.

What changes with private 5G connectivity 

Private 5G provides a unified connectivity foundation for large-scale mining environments, replacing fragmented communications systems with a secure, scalable platform that supports digital mining operations end to end.

For mining operations, private cellular networks enable:

• Wide-area coverage across surface and underground sites
• Seamless mobility for vehicles, equipment, and personnel
• Licensed spectrum that minimizes interference
• Network slicing for safety-critical applications
• Secure SIM-based authentication and encryption
• Low latency for teleoperation, video, and real-time analytics

Built on 3GPP standards, Ericsson Private 5G integrates with existing industrial systems while supporting future applications such as automation, AI analytics, and autonomous operations.

Smartflow: the digital brain of the mine 

Connectivity is only the first step. The real value emerges when operational data is transformed into actionable insight.

Smartflow, developed by Becker/LASEC, aggregates inputs from sensors, equipment, and operational systems into a live digital twin of the mine. This enables supervisors and operators to monitor conditions, anticipate issues, and make informed decisions in real time.

Smartflow supports capabilities including:

• Ventilation on demand
• Continuous environmental monitoring
• Equipment telemetry and predictive maintenance
• Dynamic fleet dispatch
• Collision avoidance systems
• Man-down detection and worker safety monitoring
• Intelligent evacuation guidance

Natural language interfaces and computer vision tools further enhance situational awareness without increasing system complexity.

Together, Ericsson Private 5G and Smartflow create a unified digital platform where every worker, asset, and system participates in the same live operational picture.

A partnership built for mining realities 

The collaboration between Ericsson and Becker Mining Systems reflects a shared focus on practical mining deployments.

LASEC, part of Becker Mining Systems, brings more than 35 years of underground mining expertise, supporting operations in approximately three-quarters of the world’s major mining countries.

Ericsson contributes the business-critical connectivity foundation, delivering private 5G networks built on global 3GPP standards for reliability, interoperability, and long-term scalability.

Together, the companies provide a path to mining digitalization that aligns network infrastructure with operational platforms and real-world mining workflows.

E-book | From signal to insight: The digital mine blueprint

Read the paper

Ground truth from live deployments 

Private cellular connectivity is already transforming mining operations around the world.

Open-pit gold mining operation 

A major Latin American gold mine deployed private 4G and 5G connectivity across surface operations to support remote drilling, fleet management, and environmental monitoring.

With continuous connectivity, operators gained greater visibility into field activities while building the foundation for future automation initiatives.

Underground mining complex 

A large underground mining complex implemented full tunnel coverage using a combination of private cellular connectivity and leaky feeder infrastructure.

The deployment improved personnel awareness, environmental monitoring, and operational visibility throughout the mine while creating a platform for future AI-driven analytics and automation.

These deployments demonstrate how connectivity, operational intelligence, and automation can work together in real mining environments.

Safety, productivity, and energy—connected

When every worker, asset, and environmental system remains connected, operational benefits multiply.

Continuous connectivity enables:

• Real-time personnel tracking and man-down detection
• Guided evacuation during emergency events
• Predictive maintenance that reduces downtime
• Continuous environmental monitoring
• Ventilation on demand that optimizes energy usage

For underground operations extending beyond roughly 20 kilometers, private cellular networks can become more cost-effective than traditional communication alternatives—particularly when increased safety, productivity, and ESG performance are included in the business case.

These benefits extend beyond productivity. Improved operational visibility can influence insurance costs, regulatory compliance, and sustainability goals while helping mines operate more safely in increasingly complex environments.

Building the foundation for the digital mine

Successful digital mining initiatives begin with a clear understanding of operational priorities, connectivity requirements, and business objectives.

By establishing a secure, scalable connectivity foundation, mining organizations can support:

• Autonomous mining equipment
• Electrification and electromobility
• AI-driven operational analytics
• Expanded digital twin capabilities
• More sustainable mining operations

The goal is not simply to connect assets, but to create an environment where data moves seamlessly across the operation, enabling better decisions, safer working conditions, and more efficient production.

Ready to build the digital mine?

Digital mining requires more than connected equipment. It requires a strategy for turning operational data into actionable insight at scale.

Download the joint Ericsson and Becker/LASEC paper to explore the architectures, deployment lessons, and practical considerations behind connected mining operations—and learn how private 5G and operational intelligence are helping shape the next generation of digital mines.

 

E-book | From signal to insight: The digital mine blueprint

Read the paper

 

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