The private LTE/5G-ready wireless network was able to support remote machinery control through video channels, as well as communications between production sites and the control centre, despite the depths.

The miner used Nokia's industrial-grade private wireless connected digital mine solution, including 4.9G/LTE and 5G core hardware and software, Flexi Zone Micro LTE and Nokia AirScale 5G base stations.

Nornickel said its trials had proven the feasibility and efficiency of a dedicated 4.9G/5G network as a unified data transfer environment for Nornickel platforms, as well as new digital products with different traffic profiles.

The trials were conducted using a 5G-ready Compal laptop and a Motorola smartphone which both used Qualcomm processors and modems.

"The level of industrial automation at the Nornickel mines is constantly increasing, innovative systems and technologies are being introduced, driving further requirements for wireless data transmission networks," said Liana Ermishina, Director of the Information Technology Department of Nornickel.

A spokesman from US chipmaker Qualcomm spokesman said the use of the company's 5G mmWave spectrum "opens up a wide range of new opportunities in all stages of mining".

The Komsomolsky and Skalisty mines are key to boosting the Company's ore mining volumes on the Taimyr Peninsula, which are strategically targeted to grow by 75% to 30 mtpa by 2030.