Epiroc, which happens to be a Swedish mining and infrastructure equipment manufacturer, and Ericsson have joined forces in a global agreement to improve LTE, 5G connectivity in mining industry.
The technology by Ericsson will be available through Epiroc’s global customer centres, offering a range of enhanced connectivity and digital solutions for the mining industry.
The initiative addresses both underground as well as surface operations and is designed to help customers improve their automation, digitalisation and operational effectiveness.
The partnership expands the portfolio from Epiroc in technology-agnostic digital and automation solutions, giving customers vital connectivity to achieve safer, more effective and more efficient operations.
It is well to be noted that the partnership brings together cellular expertise from Ericsson and global reach and deep mining application knowledge of Epiroc to provide customers with an end-to-end solution so as to build mission-critical wireless networks.
According to the president of Epiroc’s digital solutions division, Paul Bergström,
“Connectivity is becoming increasingly important as mining companies advance automation and digitalisation throughout their operations.
Together with Ericsson, we are strengthening our offering and helping customers build the robust communications infrastructure needed to enable safer, more efficient, and more productive mining operations.”
The deal is a continuation of a previous collaboration between the two companies going back to 2018 when Epiroc and Ericsson signed a contract of cooperation to look into LTE, 5G connectivity in mining applications.
It’s a new step that should ease the installation of foundational wireless infrastructure for mining clients wanting to scale automation, telematics and predictive maintenance.
The partnership further cements Epiroc’s position as a productivity partner through the provision of solutions ranging from automation, collision avoidance and connectivity to data-enabled machinery and situational awareness in order to extend the capabilities to customers.
This essential connectivity is crucial to fully leveraging advanced digital offerings by Epiroc.
Notably, the collaboration brings together the technology leadership of Ericsson and Epiroc’s deep industry knowledge and global footprint to address the growing need for connected and robust operational technology environments.
According to Pankaj Malhotra, head of Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions products and engineering, “This collaboration is about enabling real operational impact for mining customers safer operations, higher productivity, and greater efficiency. By providing the connectivity foundation behind Epiroc’s digital and automation solutions, we are helping mining companies modernise operations at scale. Our partnership with Epiroc is an important step in building the connected ecosystems that modern industrial enterprises depend on.”
Apparently, it was in March 2026 that Epiroc received an order for autonomous and electric surface rigs from an unnamed African customer.