Electrification and Automation for Tailings Management

ABB has expanded the electrification and automation infrastructure at Boliden’s Aitik copper mine, strengthening power supply, water management, and monitoring systems to support the safe scaling of one of Europe’s largest tailings facilities.

Supporting growth in copper production
Boliden’s Aitik mine, Sweden’s largest open-pit copper operation, is increasing its production capacity in response to rising global demand for copper. According to the International Energy Agency, global refined copper demand is expected to increase by around 22 percent by 2035 under the Stated Policies Scenario, driven largely by electrification and energy transition technologies.

Scaling production at Aitik requires parallel investment in tailings management infrastructure to ensure that higher volumes of processed material can be handled safely, reliably, and in compliance with evolving international standards.

Tailings management requirements
To support the expansion of its tailings facilities, Boliden identified the need for robust systems to secure electrical supply, provide continuous oversight of water flows, and monitor dam behavior in real time. These capabilities are essential for compliance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM), which places increased emphasis on monitoring, governance, and risk reduction throughout the lifecycle of tailings facilities.

Given the mine’s location in northern Sweden, all systems also had to be designed for reliable operation under sub-arctic weather conditions, including low temperatures and seasonal variability.

ABB’s electrification and automation scope
ABB delivered a fast-deployment solution combining electrification, drive technology, and process automation. The scope includes modular e-houses housing medium- and low-voltage switchgear, transformers, and power distribution equipment, providing resilient electrical infrastructure close to critical tailings assets.

Variable speed drives were supplied for pumping stations, enabling precise control of water flows and improved energy efficiency across tailings transport and recycling systems. Such control is important for adapting pumping performance to changing operating conditions while minimizing mechanical stress and power consumption.

Centralized monitoring and control
At the core of the upgrade is ABB Ability System 800xA, a distributed control system used to automate monitoring of energy flows, pumping operations, and dam-related parameters. The platform supports centralized supervision, real-time diagnostics, and predictive maintenance alerts, allowing operators to detect deviations early and respond before they affect safety or availability.

For large tailings facilities, continuous monitoring and data integration are critical to maintaining stable operations, particularly as production rates and hydraulic loads change over time.

Long-term operational resilience
The infrastructure upgrade aligns with Boliden’s broader strategy to ensure long-term resilience and regulatory compliance at Aitik. By integrating electrification and automation into tailings management, the mine can support increased production while maintaining high safety margins and operational efficiency.

From a lifecycle perspective, modular power systems and centralized automation also simplify future upgrades and maintenance, reducing downtime as operational requirements evolve.

Context within sustainable mining
The Aitik project reflects a wider industry trend toward tighter integration of power, automation, and monitoring systems in tailings management. As regulatory scrutiny increases and production volumes grow, mining operators are adopting digital and electrified solutions to improve transparency, reduce risk, and support sustainable resource extraction.

Within this context, ABB’s work at Aitik demonstrates how advanced electrification and control infrastructure can enable responsible expansion of critical mining assets while supporting the long-term supply of copper needed for global electrification.