Deployment of Epiroc digital safety solution in production mines
March 18, 2025
Safety is an absolute top priority for LKAB, which has underground mines in Kiruna and Malmberget in northern Sweden. LKAB’s current solution for locating people in its mines utilizes a tag system that divides the mine into zones and estimates a person’s location. While this safety solution has been in place for many years, modern technology can raise the bar.
The new Epiroc solution offers a comprehensive and advanced safety system that fits the needs of underground mines. The system improves worker safety and efficiency by providing more accurate location tracking, improved communication capabilities, and a range of helpful features that make it easier to navigate the mines and respond to emergencies.
"This solution gives people in mines more information in real time about the situation. We want to shorten the time from when an alarm potentially goes off to when everyone is safe. Additionally, we want to increase everyday safety by using zone-based messages and other functions of the system, and we believe this digital solution can help with that."
The digital solution enables high-level location tracking of personnel and vehicles in real time using Wi-Fi, mobile devices, and a sophisticated tagging system. The system also allows for targeted communication to zones. This ensures that personnel in specific areas receive relevant information such as safety alerts or evacuation notices directly to their work phones. In a crisis, the system enables swift communication with all underground personnel, confirming their location and facilitating a coordinated response.
The system also features a user-friendly 3D map similar to Google Maps that is accessible both on work phones and in vehicles. This simplifies navigation, making it easier for personnel to locate equipment, rescue chambers, and other critical points of interest.
“This project demonstrates the potential for digital transformation in the mining industry, bringing us one step closer to a smarter and more efficient future,” says Hans Wahlquist.
The new system is currently being rolled out in the Kiruna mine. In Malmberget, regular testing of the system has begun.
"Safety is our top priority at LKAB. This technology looks promising in that it provides our employees with an increased level of security and support while working underground"
He continues:
“Epiroc has had developers on site in the mine during the project, which is important for a successful result. They have gained a better understanding of the complexities and can see the effects of the solutions in our working environment.”
Epiroc and LKAB have a long-term partnership in which teamwork, on-site development in real production environments, and continuous feedback are key success points.
"Digital applications are a game changer for avoiding accidents and getting people to safety quickly in case of an incident. LKAB is a highly skilled organization with ambitious goals, and we are very proud to be part of their efforts to be at the forefront of workforce safety."
The bundle of Epiroc digital solutions includes the following products:
- Situational Awareness & Virtual Tag: This module allows personnel and vehicle location tracking in real time and enables the transmission of automatic zone-based safety messages to the mobile phones of personnel when they enter risk areas.
- Emergency Support: This module allows for faster emergency response and evacuation by enabling the central control room to send out mass emergency messages and guide workers to rescue chambers. Workers can acknowledge messages, providing real-time confirmation of their status.
- Onboard: This module provides a 3D map navigation system for vehicles operating within the mine, increasing traffic safety by displaying potential collisions and facilitating faster response times to incidents.
- PocketMine: This module is a mobile app that mirrors the functionality of the control room’s Situational Awareness system, providing every worker with a real-time 3D map of the mine, navigation support, and access to emergency information and alerts.
Epiroc’s Digital Solutions division Offers solutions that drive the digital transformation of the mining and construction industries. The division provides a dynamic range of technology-agnostic digital solutions that improve safety, productivity, and sustainability onsite, from the control room to the boardroom.
Since November 2021 Mobilaris Mining and Civil Engineering (MCE) belongs to Epiroc’s Digital Solutions division. Learn more about the solutions here.
