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Boliden’s Wireless Upgrade for Reliable Underground Connectivity

Boliden is a leading international mining and smelting company headquartered in Sweden. They specialize in producing essential metals like copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver. Boliden’s operations are critical to global supply chains supporting electronics, automotive, construction, and renewable energy industries.

Challenge

Boliden’s existing wireless infrastructure relied on older linearly polarized antennas, which struggled to meet the demanding requirements of modern mining operations. Moreover, Boliden needed to find a trustworthy Antenna manufacturer, that would be able to deliver within the required time frames, the required quantities and the needed product quality.

The harsh underground environment created challenges such as signal reflections, interference, and coverage gaps, directly affecting several critical applications:

Real-time reporting: Information including mining statistics and drilling reports, faced delays and data loss due to unstable connectivity.
Voice communication: Being able to have live, uninterrupted 2-way conversations, or group conversations, involving the personnel working inside, but also outside, of the mine is paramount to ensure smooth operation (e.g., systems like Zello).
Remote operations and vehicle navigation: Reliable wireless links are essential for the safe remote operation of haulers, watering trucks, and other heavy equipment. Signal interruptions created operational risks and reduced efficiency.
Positioning and asset tracking: Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) like Mobilaris used to track personnel and equipment were impacted by weak signals and coverage gaps.
Blasting activation: Systems like Orica, which depend on stable wireless communication for safe blasting operations, were affected by network instability.
Safety monitoring and emergency response: Inconsistent connectivity limited the effectiveness of personnel tracking and emergency response systems, increasing safety risks.

These challenges highlighted the need for a more robust and efficient wireless network capable of providing stable coverage and supporting Boliden’s mission-critical mining operations.

Kristineberg Mine

The information in this study was from the Kristineberg Mine, operated by Boliden. Kristineberg is an extensive underground operation located in Västerbotten County, Sweden. The mine features a complex network of tunnels and zones. It primarily produces polymetallic ores such as copper, zinc, gold, silver, and lead. The detailed map highlights the various ore zones and mined areas, showcasing the intricate layout of the underground workings.

Solution: HELI-19 Circular Polarized Mining Antennas

Boliden upgraded their wireless infrastructure by deploying POYNTING’s HELI-19 Circular Polarized Antennas. Designed for challenging underground environments, the HELI-19 offers:

Circular Polarisation: Reduces interference from reflective surfaces and metal structures, improving signal stability.
Bi-Directional Radiation Pattern: Ideal for tunnels and underground shafts.
Dual-Band Wi-Fi: 2400 – 2500 MHz and 5000 – 6000 MHz
Rugged Construction: Built to withstand harsh mining conditions.

Additional Features:

Dual-antenna configuration per AP for enhanced signal strength.
Continuous network monitoring for proactive issue detection.
Seamless integration with Boliden’s existing systems.

Results & Impact

The client experienced significant improvements and benefits following the solution implementation:

✅ Enhanced Coverage & Signal Strength:

15% reduction in APs while ensuring the coverage overlap between neighbouring APs went from -70dBm to -65 dBm – consequently improving roaming between APs.
Improved signal stability in areas previously known for dead zones.

✅ Improved Network Reliability:

Circular polarization minimized interference, ensuring consistent performance for critical applications, including vehicle remote navigation, real-time reporting, and blasting systems.

✅ Operational Efficiency & Cost Savings:

Fewer APs lowered infrastructure, maintenance, and energy costs.
Faster data transmission improved decision-making and productivity.
Fewer data/communications re-transmitions, namely on the voice communications.

✅ Enhanced Safety:

More reliable RTLS system for accurate personnel tracking and emergency response.

✅ Scalable Network for Future Growth:

The solution supports future expansion and technology upgrades without major overhauls.

Key Takeaways

The deployment of POYNTING’s HELI-19 antennas at Boliden demonstrates the significant impact of advanced antenna technology in mining environments:

Strengthened connectivity for mission-critical applications
Optimized infrastructure with fewer APs
Improved safety through reliable personnel tracking
Future-proofed network ready for advanced mining automation and IoT applications

This solution aligns with Boliden’s values of safety, sustainability, and innovation, supporting their role as a leader in responsible mining.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Communica and Priotec for their crucial roles in the success of our project with Boliden in Sweden. Communica, as one of our oldest European distributors, has been open and dedicated, ensuring smooth delivery and excellent service. Priotec, our System Integrator, has shown great expertise and commitment, adding significant value to the project. Their collaboration has truly exemplified the strength of our partnerships.