Customer overview

Boliden is one of Europe’s leading mining and metals companies, operating some of the most technologically advanced mines and smelters in the world. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and safety, Boliden continually invests in digital transformation to improve operational efficiency and environmental performance. Its remote mining sites, including those in northern Sweden, present unique connectivity challenges—making reliable, high-performance communications infrastructure essential to its ongoing success.

The objectives

In the isolated north of Sweden, the Boliden mining operation faced a critical challenge - no access to reliable mobile or fixed communications. The lack of coverage presented significant safety risks, limiting workers' ability to call for help in emergencies. The mine's unstable Wi-Fi infrastructure also stood in the way of broader digital transformation goals, including automation and real-time monitoring.

The mine needed a fast, scalable solution that would provide enterprise-grade connectivity—supporting both safety and operational innovation.

The solution

We responded with our rapid deployment 5G private network solution, purpose-built for remote, high-demand environments. Leveraging modular, portable infrastructure, the system delivered instant, high-speed connectivity across the entire mine site—without reliance on public networks.

This plug-and-play network was configured to support:

• High-speed voice and data communications across the full operational footprint

• Real-time monitoring of assets, systems, and personnel for improved decision-making

• Advanced security protocols, reducing cyber and data risks

• Future-ready infrastructure to enable automation and smart mining applications

Because the deployment was temporary and easily relocatable, it offered short-to-medium term coverage while supporting long-term infrastructure planning.

The results and outcomes

The rapid 5G deployment delivered immediate and measurable outcomes:

• Safety improved - workers could now communicate from anywhere on site, increasing response times in emergencies and enabling better incident management.

• Operational visibility - real-time data flows allowed for proactive maintenance and infrastructure oversight, reducing costly downtime.

• Efficiency boosted - automation of routine tasks and remote diagnostics reduced onsite personnel requirements and operational costs.

• Environmental benefits – improved monitoring enabled smarter resource use and better environmental compliance.

• Scalable and flexible - the mine gained a communications solution that could be moved, expanded, or adapted as site needs evolved.