Invisible threads: Hidden networks driving the future of mining

In 2025, the foundations of mining are shifting away from purely mechanical and geological concerns toward something far more connected: the ability to move information instantly and reliably across every part of an operation. Communication networks now function as the nervous system of modern mining, enabling automation, enhancing safety, and providing the means to respond when disaster strikes. Their presence has begun to influence decisions far beyond technology procurement, shaping debates over who controls operational data, how risks are managed, and what kind of autonomy mine operators truly have.

The adoption of private wireless systems is a prime example of this shift. High-performance, site-specific networks allow real-time transmission of video, telemetry, and control signals between deep underground and surface control rooms. In Finland, at Agnico Eagle’s Kittilä Mine, a dedicated private 5G network has been deployed in partnership with Nokia to support autonomous machinery, predictive maintenance, and immersive remote monitoring, showcasing how edge computing and tailored network architecture can keep pace with the extreme demands of mining environments. Such systems do not just transmit data; they become embedded into safety protocols and operational workflows, forming the backbone of digital twins, adaptive safety zones, and autonomous equipment fleets.

But these capabilities are not confined to fixed infrastructure. Mining operations are rarely static, and portable private networks have emerged to fill that gap. Turnkey Communications’ rugged, rapidly deployable LTE and 5G platforms now allow operators to set up fully functional, secure networks wherever extraction or exploration moves next. This mobility means the same standard of communication, and thus the same level of safety, monitoring, and automation, can now be extended to even the most remote or temporary sites without depending on fragile public networks.

The automation of haulage fleets makes the interdependence between communication systems and operational efficiency even more obvious. Driverless trucks, loaders, and drills do not operate in isolation, they rely on split-second, uninterrupted connections to navigate, avoid collisions, and coordinate with control systems. Without high-bandwidth, low-latency communications, the promises of automation collapse into downtime and safety hazards.

When disaster hits, the value of these networks is tested in a different way. The collapse of a tailings dam in Zambia earlier this year released millions of liters of toxic waste into a major water source, triggering an emergency response across multiple sectors. From deploying environmental countermeasures to issuing health advisories and coordinating evacuations, every action depended on the rapid flow of information through secure, functioning communication channels. In such crises, the network itself becomes an instrument of survival. Its reliability dictates the speed and coherence of the response.

All this technological progress exposes a deeper, less visible tension: ownership and control. While private 5G and portable networks are sold as tools for independence, many are still managed by third-party vendors. This arrangement can erode an operator’s sovereignty over mission-critical systems, from autonomous fleet coordination to environmental monitoring. Once integrated into a mine’s digital infrastructure, these networks are difficult and costly to replace, locking operators into long-term dependencies that may carry geopolitical and cybersecurity risks. The problem is no longer theoretical either as ransomware attacks on industrial LTE networks have already brought mining operations to a standstill, underscoring the vulnerability of outsourced control.

As mining becomes more reliant on digital communication, the strategic stakes of network governance increase. These systems carry sensitive environmental data, high-definition video, and even biometric information from workers. Knowing who can access that data, where it is stored, and how it is protected will become as central to mining strategy as equipment procurement or ore grade optimization.

The path forward is not simply to build stronger networks but to embed trust, transparency, and resilience into their design. The future of mining will not be determined solely by how much data can be moved or how fast; it will be defined by who controls that movement, how securely it is handled, and whether those systems remain functional in both the best and worst of circumstances. In this connected era, a mine’s true strength lies not only in its machinery or mineral reserves, but in the integrity of the invisible threads that bind its operations together. 

Steve Gravel is the manager of the Centre for Smart Mining at Cambrian College.