Vertical: Mining
Application: Improved communication, safety, productivity
Ecosystem: Nokia, Alcon
Private Network: LTE
Lithium is a critical mineral powering the shift to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. As demand skyrockets, major lithium producer Sigma Lithium is turning to cutting-edge networking technology to improve operations at one of its mines in Brazil.
Sigma has tapped Nokia and systems integrator Alcon to deploy a private LTE campus network at its Grota do Cirilo lithium mining site in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This private 4G network will connect 200 employees and enable a range of smart mining applications powered by industrial edge computing.
The goals are clear – improve worker safety and boost productivity through capabilities like voice/video communications, smart badging systems, and other digitized processes. Nokia says this marks the first private LTE network for lithium mining in the Americas.
Private LTE networks offer several advantages over public cellular and Wi-Fi, including enhanced security, reliability, and low latency connectivity tailored for scalable IoT/IIoT use cases. Mining environments, often in remote areas, can greatly benefit from modern private wireless to digitize antiquated operations.
For Sigma Lithium, the network investment aligns with their vision for sustainable, carbon-neutral “green lithium” production using 100% renewable energy and recycled water.
“We are dedicated to powering the next generation of electric vehicles in the most sustainable manner. We are very excited to work with Nokia and Alcon to enhance worker safety and efficiency while continuing to expand our exploration of a metal critical to the world’s energy transition,” said Marcelo Marinho, chief operating officer at Sigma Lithium.
