Newmont transforms Cadia mine with Ericsson Private 5G to enable world-first teleremote dozer fleet

In a pioneering shift for industrial connectivity and automation, Newmont Corporation has introduced a private 5G network from Ericsson at its Cadia gold-copper mine in New South Wales. The deployment represents the world’s first use of private 5G technology for teleremote dozing in surface mining, a move that aims to substantially improve safety, operational efficiency, and productivity in large-scale mining operations.

Newmont, the world’s largest gold producer, has struggled in the past with Wi-Fi-based remote operations, particularly in extending coverage to connect multiple machines reliably. By integrating Ericsson Private 5G, the company has now overcome those limitations and is setting a global precedent for smart mining.

How does 5G redefine remote operations in mining?

Teleremote dozing—where operators control heavy dozers remotely from a control room—relies heavily on stable, high-throughput connectivity. Previously, Newmont could only connect two machines within a 100-metre range using Wi-Fi before communication issues rendered the system unreliable. These breakdowns frequently resulted in hours of lost productivity during troubleshooting.

With the new 5G system, Newmont can now connect its entire fleet across a 2.5-kilometre tailings construction area using a single Ericsson 5G radio. The system delivers uplink throughput of up to 175Mbps—enough capacity to support 12 simultaneous dozers without lag or communication drops. This improvement in uplink speed and coverage eliminates previous inefficiencies while creating a safer work environment by enabling fully remote machine operation.

Ericsson’s Massive MIMO technology, integrated with its Antenna Integrated Radio and Uplink Booster, enhances signal strength and capacity, particularly over longer distances. The solution uses mid-band spectrum, making it especially suitable for industrial use cases such as video-based control systems and high-definition camera feeds essential for real-time remote operations.

What makes this a turning point for industrial 5G adoption?

The deployment at Cadia is not only a technological first but also a demonstration of the business case for industrial 5G in mining. According to Chris Twaddle, Newmont’s Director of Process Control, Networks and Operational Cellular, the high-performing solution has helped the company realise its broader digital transformation goals. Twaddle noted that the system provides both the scalability and reliability needed to advance Newmont’s surface and underground operations globally.

Ericsson’s Head of Enterprise 5G, Manish Tiwari, remarked that the success of this deployment underscores how private 5G networks can reduce infrastructure needs while delivering superior performance. In spectrum-constrained markets, where licensed spectrum is limited or expensive, the ability to achieve this level of network throughput and control without significant spectrum demands is particularly attractive.

What is the broader industry impact of this deployment?

The implications of private 5G technology go far beyond Newmont’s Cadia operation. For mining companies, the shift from Wi-Fi to 5G can be transformational, providing the kind of connectivity required for scaling up automation, predictive maintenance, and digital twin modelling. The ability to deploy fewer radios while extending connectivity over larger areas translates to both cost and operational efficiency.

Additionally, industries beyond mining—such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and port logistics—can look to this deployment as a model. Remote machine operation, real-time video analytics, and site-wide monitoring are increasingly becoming critical components of modern industrial strategies. Private 5G networks enable these advancements while offering greater data security, lower latency, and minimal interference compared to public networks.

How are Newmont and Ericsson performing in the market?

Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM) has experienced a strong uptick in share price, climbing approximately 26% over the past month. The rally is largely supported by surging gold prices, which recently crossed $3,248 per ounce as investors flock to safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainty. Newmont is scheduled to release its quarterly earnings on April 23, 2025, with analysts projecting earnings per share (EPS) of $0.80—a 45% year-on-year increase.

Despite its strong financials, including a 52% gross margin and a 25.2% EBIT margin, the company’s price-to-sales ratio of 3.3x remains above industry averages. This suggests the stock may be priced at a premium, leading analysts to advise a “Hold” position until further clarity emerges from upcoming earnings and macroeconomic indicators.

Meanwhile, Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has also posted solid gains, with an 8.3% increase in stock value following its Q1 2025 earnings announcement. The telecom equipment maker reported a 61% year-on-year rise in EPS, bolstered by a 20% uptick in North American sales. The increase is believed to be driven by clients accelerating investments in anticipation of potential tariffs on imports.

Ericsson continues to strengthen its U.S. presence through manufacturing and R&D expansions. It has also secured strategic partnerships, including recent deployments with GCI Communication. While upcoming U.S. trade policies may introduce some uncertainty, the company’s technology leadership in private 5G and its diversified client base position it well for long-term growth. Based on current momentum, analysts consider Ericsson a “Buy” for investors with a medium- to long-term horizon.

How does this deployment align with global smart mining trends?

Newmont’s deployment of Ericsson Private 5G aligns with a broader industry shift toward smart mining and digital transformation. As resource companies face mounting pressure to reduce downtime, improve worker safety, and achieve environmental sustainability targets, connectivity becomes a key enabler.

By digitising operations through remote monitoring, autonomous equipment, and predictive analytics, mining firms can reduce their reliance on manual processes and increase uptime. The use of private 5G also enables low-latency, high-reliability connections across expansive, often remote mine sites—conditions where traditional networks fall short.

The Cadia deployment offers a live example of how these capabilities can translate into measurable operational improvements. With scalability built into the architecture, Newmont could extend this approach to other Tier One assets across its global portfolio, including sites in North America, South America, and Africa.

In doing so, the company not only increases the efficiency of its mining operations but also sets a new industry standard for technology-led transformation.