Sustainable development, productivity and equality are all definitions that are applied to future mining operations. Innovations, electrification, digitalisation and automation are ways of achieving these goals. The main theme of the Mining 4.0 encompassed all of these future aspects. It was also the main title of the international seminar held at the Northern Industry event in Oulu on 24^th of May 2018.

Small nations are stronger together

The areas of expertise of Finland and Sweden and their opportunities within the mining sector complement each other. It makes sense to share the best ideas, solutions and experiences. Small nations are stronger together. They can offer each other local markets, expertise, partnerships and customers. The first step is to find the methods and channels for this cooperation.

The Swedish mining portfolio is well-established around the world and made more accessible in part by Business Sweden, while Finland’s offerings are pushed by the likes of Mining Finland and Business Finland. These agencies already cooperate sporadically, for example by attracting investments to Fenno-Scandinavia through GTK, SGU, Business Sweden and Mining Finland. Collaboration within the mining sector could be much more extensive. Not only due to the automation potential in the sector globally.

The maritime industry provides good examples of the benefits of working together. Cooperation among Finnish and Swedish actors offers ways in which small nations can respond to the enormous market demand. When there are more actors, price levels can be kept reasonable and time pressures under control. Companies can benefit from the best digital tools and innovations in the industry, as many solutions are applicable across sectoral and national borders.

What could two leading mining experts achieve together?

We have the expertise. Going back to my first example of development work, the automation of underground work, Swedish know-how and innovations are a driving force. Over half of the underground technology used by the global mining industry comes from Sweden, and if we include Finland, this already impressive global market share rises to 70 or 80 percent.

The history of the Swedish mining industry stretches back over a thousand years. The Mining by Sweden cluster has been developed by Business Sweden as part of the national minerals strategy, bringing the entire value chain of the Swedish mining sector under the same roof and bringing together actors within the industry. The expertise of the Swedish mining cluster is being utilised also elsewhere, for example in the modernisation and digitalisation of the mining industry in Kazakhstan. The culture of innovation in Sweden is very high, also within the extractive industries. Research and development in this field enjoys long-term State support, which makes it less susceptive to economic downturns.

Sustainable development and responsibility are at the heart of Swedish strategy for the extractive industries, Mining for Generations. There are also long-term development goals regarding wellbeing and the environment, which the Finnish and Swedish mining sectors share in common. In Finland, for example, the sustainable mining association Kestävä kaivosteollisuus ry is doing great work promoting responsibility within the industry.

Finland has strong expertise in networks and telecommunications, as well as leading research in chemistry and minerals. Finnish geodata sets the standard for other countries to follow. Just think what we could achieve by working more closely together!

Companies from both Finland and Sweden will get together at the Northern Industry event. We will have innovative Swedish new players like Mobilaris, as well as representatives of mining giants like Boliden and LKAB. 

Elina Rantanen

Senior Project Manager
Business Sweden
www.business-sweden.se
elina.rantanen@business-sweden.se 

The Mining 4.0 seminar was organised in end-May as part of the Northern Industry event in cooperation with Business Sweden. The seminar covered themes of the future of the mining industry and automation.