Private Network Check Readiness - TeckNexus Solutions

Newmont Expands Private 5G for Safer, Efficient Mining with Telstra and Ericsson

Newmont Corporation is upgrading its mining operations by replacing outdated Wi-Fi with Private 5G networks, following a successful trial at its Cadia mine in Australia. Partnering with Ericsson and Telstra Purple, the 5G deployment significantly enhances safety, operational efficiency, and scalability in both underground and surface mining. This shift allows for better connectivity, reducing safety risks and improving productivity by supporting more autonomous and remote-controlled machinery. Newmont plans to expand 5G across its global network of mines, setting a new standard in the industry.
Newmont Expands Private 5G for Safer, Efficient Mining with Ericsson and Telstra
Image Credit: Newmont Cadia Mine

Newmont’s Bold Shift to Private 5G in Mining Operations

Newmont Corporation, the world’s leading gold company, is taking a bold step forward by replacing its existing Wi-Fi infrastructure with next-generation 5G wireless networks at its major mining operations. This strategic move comes on the heels of a successful private 5G trial conducted at its Cadia mine in New South Wales, Australia, which showcased the transformative potential of 5G in enhancing safety and operational efficiency in both underground and surface mining.

Overcoming Wi-Fi Limitations in Underground Mining


Prior to the 5G trial, Newmont’s mining operations were heavily reliant on Wi-Fi to manage remote-controlled and autonomous machinery, such as ore loaders and drilling rigs. However, this Wi-Fi setup presented significant challenges. Underground, the Wi-Fi connections were plagued by unreliable and unpredictable performance, especially under heavy data load. Upload speeds were capped at 20-30 Mbps, which was insufficient for the simultaneous operation of multiple machines. The limited bandwidth led to frequent false automation safety stops due to packet loss, disrupting operations and posing safety risks.

Newmont’s Private 5G Trial: Enhancing Safety and Efficiency

In response to these challenges, Newmont launched a trial of 5G Private Networks in partnership with Ericsson and Telstra Purple at its Cadia mine. The trial marked a significant departure from the limitations of Wi-Fi. Utilizing Ericsson’s Private 5G, Newmont achieved upload speeds of approximately 90 Mbps along underground access drives and declines, and an impressive 150 Mbps upload and 500 Mbps download on extraction drives. This leap in connectivity was crucial for the reliable operation of remote-controlled and autonomous mining systems, which depend on real-time data transmission.

The deployment also extended to surface-level communications, where 5G New Radio (NR) technologies were tested. Innovations such as 64T64R Massive MIMO, beamforming, and beam-steering provided a significant boost in throughput, particularly over the extended distances typical of surface operations.

Cadia Mine Trial: Proof of Private 5G’s Transformative Power

The trial results at Cadia mine were overwhelmingly positive, prompting Newmont to expand the use of 5G across its global network of tier-one mines.

According to Suzy Retallack, Newmont’s Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer, “The trial results show the extraordinary potential of 5G to improve safety, increase the number of machines that can be operated on a single network, and boost production efficiencies in underground mining.” The success of this trial has solidified 5G’s role in Newmont’s communication strategies for both underground and surface operations.

Why Newmont Chose Private 5G Over Wi-Fi

Newmont’s choice to transition from Wi-Fi to Private 5G was driven by the need for a more robust, scalable, and reliable network solution that could meet the demanding requirements of modern mining operations. The trial also included the use of advanced 5G technologies on the surface, demonstrating the potential of 5G to deliver high throughput and reliable connectivity even in the challenging environment of large-scale surface mining.

Key Benefits of Private 5G for Newmont’s Mining Sites

The adoption of 5G at Newmont’s mining sites brings numerous benefits:

  • Enhanced Safety: 5G’s reliable connectivity minimizes the risk of false automation safety stops, significantly improving operational safety.
  • Increased Efficiency: The higher data speeds and capacity of 5G allow for the simultaneous operation of more autonomous and remote-controlled machinery, leading to improved productivity.
  • Global Scalability: The trial’s success has encouraged Newmont to plan for the deployment of 5G across its global network of tier-one mines, enhancing both underground and surface operations.

How Private 5G is Enabling the Mining Industry

The successful implementation of 5G at Newmont’s Cadia mine is a major milestone not just for the company, but for the mining industry as a whole. As noted by Manish Tiwari, Head of Private Cellular Networks at Ericsson, “5G is enabling rapid global transformation of industry, supporting digitalization and movement towards automated, more efficient, and safer operations across a number of sectors.” The broader mining industry, which has traditionally been slow to adopt new technologies, is now poised to benefit from the safety and efficiency improvements that 5G offers.

Newmont’s Leadership in Mining Tech Innovation

Newmont is leading the charge in the mining industry by embracing cutting-edge technology to enhance safety and efficiency. By phasing out Wi-Fi in favor of 5G, Newmont is setting a new standard for operational excellence in mining, demonstrating a commitment to leveraging technology for safer, more productive mining operations.

The Critical Role of Ericsson and Telstra in Newmont’s Private 5G Success

The success of Newmont’s 5G initiative at Cadia was made possible through close collaboration with Ericsson and Telstra Purple. Ericsson provided the necessary 5G technology and expertise, while Telstra Purple, the system integration division of Australian operator Telstra, played a critical role in supplying telecom equipment and spectrum for the trial. This partnership was instrumental in overcoming the challenges posed by the underground mining environment.

Newmont’s Private 5G Expansion: Current Status and Future Plans

Following the successful trial at Cadia, Newmont has applied to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for Area Wide Licenses to extend and embed the use of 5G technology across all its Australian operations. The company is also planning to roll out 5G networks across its global network of tier-one mines, which includes 14 sites across four continents. This expansion is expected to unfold over the coming years, as Newmont continues to integrate 5G into its operational framework.

Industry Endorsements of Newmont’s Private 5G Initiative

The trial has received strong endorsements from key stakeholders within Newmont and its partners. The demonstrated benefits of 5G in improving safety and productivity are likely to inspire other mining companies to consider similar initiatives, potentially leading to widespread adoption of 5G technology in the industry. Newmont’s pioneering efforts have firmly established 5G as a critical component of future mining operations.

As Newmont continues to lead the way with the deployment of 5G Private Networks, the mining industry is on the brink of a safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced future.


Recent Content

Verizon Business and Nokia will deploy six private 5G networks across Thames Freeport’s major logistics sites, including the Port of Tilbury, London Gateway, and Ford Dagenham to create a high-performance digital infrastructure supporting real-time logistics, AI automation, and edge computing. With plans to generate 5,000 skilled jobs and power sustainable trade, this initiative positions Thames Freeport as a next-gen smart trade corridor.
Hrvatski Telekom’s NextGen 5G Airports project will deploy Private 5G Networks at Zagreb, Zadar, and Pula Airports to boost safety, efficiency, and airport automation. By combining 5G Standalone, Edge Computing, AI, and IoT, the initiative enables drones, smart cameras, and AI tablets to digitize inspections, secure perimeters, and streamline operations, redefining aviation connectivity in Croatia.
Edge AI is reshaping broadband customer experience by powering smart routers, proactive troubleshooting, conversational AI, and personalized Wi-Fi management. Learn how leading ISPs like Comcast and Charter use edge computing to boost reliability, security, and customer satisfaction.
The emergence of 6G networks marks a paradigm shift in the way wireless systems are conceived and managed. Unlike its predecessors, 6G will embed Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a native capability across all network layers, enabling real-time adaptability, intelligent orchestration, and autonomous decision-making. This paper explores the symbiosis between AI and 6G, highlighting key applications such as predictive analytics, alarm correlation, and edge-native intelligence. Detailed insights into AI model selection and architecture are provided to bridge the current technical gap. Finally, the cultural and organizational changes required to realize AI-driven 6G networks are discussed. A graphical abstract is suggested to visually summarize the proposed architecture.
Telecom engineers know OSS systems aren’t broken—they just pretend to work. Outdated data, broken integrations, and overwhelming alerts create false confidence and slow operations. Discover how VC4’s Service2Create delivers real-time, trusted inventory and smarter workflows that engineers can actually rely on.
As the telecom world accelerates toward 5G-Advanced and sets its sights on 6G, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a peripheral technology — it is becoming the brain of the mobile network. AI-driven Radio Access Networks (RANs), and increasingly AI-native architectures, are reshaping how operators design, optimize, and monetize their networks. From zero-touch automation to intelligent spectrum management and edge AI services, the integration of AI and machine learning (ML) is unlocking both operational efficiencies and new business models.

This article explores the evolution of AI in the RAN, the architectural shifts needed to support it, the critical role of Open RAN, and the most promising AI use cases from the field. For telcos, this is not just a technical upgrade — it is a strategic inflection point.
Whitepaper
This 5G network assurance white paper, sponsored by RADCOM covers critical requirements, technologies, and approaches that assurance solutions must support....

It seems we can't find what you're looking for.

Download Magazine

With Subscription

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Private Network Awards 2025 - TeckNexus
Scroll to Top

Private Network Awards

Recognizing excellence in 5G, LTE, CBRS, and connected industries. Nominate your project and gain industry-wide recognition.
Early Bird Deadline: Sept 5, 2025 | Final Deadline: Sept 30, 2025