Newmont Corporation has taken a decisive step in modernizing mining operations with its successful deployment of private 5G wireless technology at the Cadia underground mine in New South Wales, Australia. In partnership with Ericsson and Telstra Purple, the trial has demonstrated how 5G can dramatically improve safety, performance, and connectivity in deep-earth operations areas where traditional Wi-Fi networks have consistently underperformed. The outcome marks a potential shift in how mining companies approach digital transformation underground.
The U.S.-headquartered gold and copper producer is now moving to scale this 5G capability across its Australian assets and beyond, positioning itself at the forefront of automation in the global mining sector.
Why did Newmont trial 5G at the Cadia mine in Australia?
Cadia is one of the world’s largest underground gold and copper mines, producing over 500,000 ounces of gold and approximately 90,000 tonnes of copper annually. However, like most deep underground sites, it faces unique technological challenges. The harsh subterranean environment, limited space for infrastructure, and moving equipment all contribute to poor network performance.
Prior to the 5G trial, operations at Cadia relied on Wi-Fi networks with upload speeds ranging between 20 to 30 megabits per second. This level of connectivity proved insufficient to support the growing reliance on autonomous equipment, including remotely operated loaders, drill rigs, and haul trucks. The Wi-Fi network regularly experienced packet loss and instability, which not only compromised operational efficiency but also triggered safety systems to halt machine functions to prevent potential accidents.
Newmont Corporation launched the 5G pilot in February 2023 to evaluate whether a private network infrastructure specifically Ericsson’s dedicated 5G system could address these performance issues while enabling more advanced automation and control.
What did Newmont’s 5G trial at Cadia achieve?
The results from the Cadia trial surpassed expectations. According to Newmont Corporation, upload speeds using Ericsson’s Private 5G network reached 90 Mbps across critical access drives and declines. On the extraction drives where the most intense operations occur upload speeds peaked at 150 Mbps, while download speeds soared to 500 Mbps.
Such speeds are transformative for underground mining. Unlike Wi-Fi, which degrades quickly in enclosed, metal-rich environments, 5G technology provided consistent and reliable connectivity throughout the mine’s complex geometry. This meant that more machines could be connected to a single network without bottlenecks, and more data could be processed in real time to improve operational oversight.
Suzy Retallack, Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer at Newmont Corporation, emphasized that the trial was not just a tech upgrade it was a shift in how mining safety and efficiency could be envisioned. She stated that the 5G system demonstrated the ability to increase machine density per network segment, reduce latency issues, and enable next-gen safety solutions like radar-assisted collision avoidance systems and real-time environmental monitoring.
How is 5G improving underground mine safety?
Mining remains one of the most hazardous industries globally, and underground operations carry elevated risks. The introduction of 5G allows real-time video feeds, automated control, sensor data transfer, and proactive hazard detection to function simultaneously across long distances and through dense rock formations.
The Cadia trial enabled the successful operation of remote-controlled vehicles deep within the mine, a feat that previously suffered from delays and connection drops with Wi-Fi. This level of control allows operators to work from secure above-ground facilities, reducing human exposure to mine wall instability, gas leaks, or equipment failures.
Moreover, Newmont Corporation is leveraging the bandwidth and stability of 5G to deploy predictive safety systems. These include live analytics dashboards, wearable safety sensors, and autonomous emergency response triggers all of which depend on high-speed, low-latency data transmission that legacy systems cannot reliably support underground.
What is Ericsson’s role in this mining 5G project?
Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications giant, has been steadily expanding its private 5G network solutions across industries such as manufacturing, energy, and mining. For the Cadia trial, Ericsson supplied its Private 5G technology, including the hardware and software stack needed to operate in isolated environments like underground tunnels.
Manish Tiwari, Head of Private Cellular Networks at Ericsson, described the Cadia success as proof that 5G is not just for consumer use but is a critical enabler of industrial transformation. He highlighted that 5G can create safer, more efficient, and data-rich operations by replacing legacy connectivity platforms with dedicated, industrial-grade networks.
Additionally, the surface testing phase at Cadia demonstrated the capabilities of 5G New Radio (NR) features such as 64T64R Massive MIMO, beamforming, and beam-steering technologies that improve performance over distance and enable targeted delivery of signal in hard-to-reach areas.
What are the next steps for Newmont’s 5G expansion in mining?
With the Cadia pilot validating 5G’s potential, Newmont Corporation is now preparing to scale the technology across its Australian operations. This includes applying for Area Wide Licenses through the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to enable broader network deployment.
These licenses would allow Newmont to establish full-scale private networks not just in Cadia, but also at other Tier 1 underground gold and copper mines it operates, including the Tanami and Boddington sites. The company has also signaled that global deployments could follow if the Australian rollout proves scalable and cost-efficient.
The expanded 5G capability is expected to support a broader fleet of autonomous equipment including haul trucks, underground graders, and intelligent drill systems. It will also unlock use cases such as AI-driven resource modeling, drone-assisted ore sampling, and real-time personnel tracking underground.
How does Newmont’s strategy fit into broader mining industry trends?
The move to adopt 5G reflects a broader trend across the global mining industry toward digitalization, automation, and safety-first innovation. With ore grades declining and mines getting deeper, companies are turning to advanced technology to reduce operating costs and increase yields.
5G is rapidly becoming a foundational layer in these transformations. Its ability to transmit vast amounts of data in near real-time makes it ideal for integrating AI, robotics, and machine learning into traditional mining workflows. Several miners including BHP, Rio Tinto, and Vale are piloting or deploying similar technologies across operations, indicating a competitive race to modernize.
Newmont Corporation, as the world’s largest gold producer by market capitalization, is positioning itself to lead this next phase of mining modernization. Its early adoption of 5G may not only give it operational advantages but also signal to investors and regulators that it is serious about safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
What are analysts and industry observers saying about 5G in mining?
Mining analysts view Newmont Corporation’s 5G rollout as a strategic bet on long-term automation capability. With gold prices hovering above USD 2,000 per ounce in 2024 and copper demand surging from electrification and green energy projects, operational reliability is becoming a competitive differentiator.
By integrating 5G into its mines, Newmont is likely to reduce downtime, enhance equipment utilization rates, and improve worker safety key metrics that drive shareholder value and ESG scores. Analysts also note that successful deployments in Australia could pave the way for similar networks in North America and Africa, two other major regions in Newmont’s global portfolio.
Regulatory bodies such as the ACMA have also welcomed such innovations, citing them as aligned with Australia’s broader Industry 4.0 vision and the push toward digital-ready mining frameworks.
Why Newmont’s Cadia 5G rollout signals a new era in mining technology
Newmont Corporation has successfully completed a private 5G trial at its Cadia mine in New South Wales, replacing legacy Wi-Fi systems. The 5G network, developed in collaboration with Ericsson and Telstra Purple, enabled upload speeds of 150 Mbps and download speeds up to 500 Mbps in underground environments. The technology significantly improves safety by supporting autonomous equipment, remote monitoring, and real-time hazard detection. Newmont is seeking regulatory approval to scale 5G across its Australian mines and potentially to other Tier 1 global sites. The move places Newmont ahead of the curve in adopting digital infrastructure critical to next-gen mining efficiency and sustainability.
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