The companies will work together on Next Generation Mining (NGMining), which is being funded by Business Finland, involves collaboration on 5 technologies on underground private networks, as well as  edge computing and AI technologies.

The objective of the two-year NGMining initiative is to build Proof of Concept (PoC) experimental systems to evaluate integrated connectivity solutions, which are tested in harsh underground mining environments.  NGMining kicked off in May 2021 .

"VTT supports all project partners by coordinating the project. In addition, in the research VTT applies and further strengthens the competences related to telecommunication technology, situation-awareness, sensor technologies, edge computing and Artificial Intelligence (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," says Miika Kaski, Commercialization and Networks Lead, Sandvik.