As Botswana sharpens its strategy to look beyond diamonds and unlock value from critical minerals, digital infrastructure is emerging as a decisive competitive advantage. The next phase of growth will be driven as much by technology as by geology. Connectivity is no longer a support function, it is becoming the backbone of safer, more efficient and globally competitive operations. Ericsson’s Head of Cluster South, Ramy Abdullatif said strong, reliable connectivity is now fundamental to modern mining performance.
“In principle, mines require strong, reliable site-wide connectivity to be the backbone of safe and efficient operations. When connectivity is dependable, decisions are faster, stoppages are fewer and people stay safer, so it’s a critical enabler of competitiveness,” noted Abdullatif. As the country expands into base metals and other critical minerals, sectors that often involve deeper, more complex and remote operations, the demands on technology intensify. According to Abdullatif, Ericsson’s Private 5G moves beyond basic coverage to become an industrial automation platform. “Ericsson Private 5G turns connectivity into a secure, reliable automation platform that enables real-time safety, remote operations and data-driven productivity at scale. It helps mines switch on smarter ways of working,” explained Abdullatif.
Enhanced private 5G connectivity enables high-speed, low-latency data transmission which is critical for modern, data-intensive mining. High-definition video streams, underground sensor data and equipment diagnostics can be transmitted instantly to surface control rooms, enabling faster and more informed decision-making. He added, “Better connectivity means the right information, at the right time, to the right people. It makes remote operation of heavy machines practical, reducing downtime and keeping production steady.”
Safety gains are equally significant. Reliable site-wide coverage allows heavy machinery to be operated remotely from secure control rooms, keeping workers out of hazardous zones without compromising operational visibility. Abdullatif referenced Ericsson’s partnership with Newmont as proof of concept: “By transitioning to 5G, Newmont increased dozing capacity by 50% and boosted material moved by up to 25% per shift. These gains were enabled by reliable, high-quality video and control links maintained over hundreds of meters, well beyond the reach of traditional Wi-Fi.”
For Botswana, the implications are strategic, to have higher equipment uptime through predictive maintenance, safer underground operations supported by connected worker applications and real-time monitoring, reduced energy consumption through optimised fleet management, improved water and emissions tracking to meet ESG targets and full visibility across the mining value chain. Private 5G also positions operators for the “mine of the future”. Mines can start with connected workers and asset visibility, then scale toward autonomy, computer vision and digital twins.
It supports electrified and autonomous fleets, continuous environmental monitoring and traceability while keeping sensitive data under the operator’s control. Equally important is speed and simplicity of deployment. He added, “The model cuts complexity with fewer suppliers, a packaged system and a simple management portal for operations and IT. Coverage is consistent and scaling from a small area to the whole site doesn’t require redesign.”
Looking ahead, Abdullatif believes Botswana can become a continental benchmark for intelligent, future-ready mining. “We believe private 5G will be a game-changer for Botswana’s mining industry. We will likely see accelerated adoption of remote operations, AI-assisted maintenance and autonomy, especially across wide, challenging sites. Private 5G will also help track energy, water and emissions more closely, supporting sustainability targets while uplifting productivity. By demonstrating how Private 5G can boost productivity and safety in Botswana’s mining sector, the country can serve as a model for other African markets, showing the economic and operational value unlocked in resource-intensive industries,” concluded Abdullatif.
