Sibelco’s underground mining operations on Stjernøya island in Northern Norway are now safer, more productive, and more sustainable thanks to a remote-controlled Cat D8 dozer delivered by Steer.
.webp)
.webp)
Located deep within the Altafjord region, the Sibelco mine on Stjernøya sits on one of the world’s largest deposits of nepheline syenite – a rare industrial mineral used in high-quality glass, ceramics, and paints. Mining has been ongoing here since the 1960s, both as open-pit and underground operations. With reserves estimated to last for more than 60 years, Sibelco continues to invest in innovative mining solutions.
As part of their technology-driven transformation, Sibelco has recently introduced a remote-controlled Caterpillar D8 Next Gen dozer, equipped with Steer Remote – a cutting-edge control system enabling safe operation from a nearby control room, far from hazardous tunnel areas.
“This enables us to increase productivity and safety in the mine, while reducing our environmental footprint. It’s an energy-efficient way to handle surplus material,” says Håvard Dyrkolbotn, Mine Manager at Sibelco.
The dozer operates in a complex tunnel system, pushing waste rock into a vertical shaft several hundred meters deep. Due to the risk of falling rocks near the shaft area, it is unsafe to perform this task with an onboard operator. Steer Remote solves this by allowing full control from a remote operator chair, with live video streaming from cameras mounted on the machine.
With intuitive user interfaces and minimal training requirements, Steer Remote empowers existing dozer operators to transition easily into safe, remote workflows. The result: enhanced operator safety, reduced downtime, and a leaner, greener mining operation.
One of Steer’s major advantages is its ability to retrofit existing heavy equipment – even across mixed fleets. The Steer Remote system is machine-agnostic and supports dozers from leading manufacturers including Caterpillar, Komatsu, Liebherr, Deere, Case, Hitachi, XCMG, Zoomlion, Doosan and Shantui.
This flexibility enables operators to modernize their fleets without the need for costly machine replacements or vendor lock-in, making it a scalable and future-proof investment for mining and construction companies.
.webp)
.webp)
Implementing wireless communication in an underground mine is no small feat. Roaming between access points and maintaining stable video/control signal links proved to be significant challenges in the tunnel environment. Through a collaborative effort between Steer, Specto Remote, and Sibelco, a robust industrial WiFi infrastructure has been established – delivering seamless connectivity and ultra-low latency video transmission from deep inside the mountain.
This joint engineering effort ensures consistent control performance and sets the stage for future digital mine expansions and remote automation use cases.
With experience from complex projects such as the Hjerkinn live-fire training ground cleanup, Steer has developed and delivered remote-controlled and autonomous machine solutions purpose-built for challenging environments, including quarries, tunneling, and mine sites. The technology supports remote operations, digital infrastructure, and safety-critical applications, contributing to the global shift toward smart, connected mining.
.webp)
Video latency: <100ms
Control latency: <10ms
Certification and compliance:
CE certified
European Machine Directive
EN ISO 12100
EN ISO 13766-1/2
ISO 13849
Remote controlled Accidents/Incidents: 0
Supervisors / Managers needed: 0
Onboarding period for new operators: 1-2 days
Remote Support: Done from Steer in Oslo
Insurance fees per machine: Unchanged
Financing of machines: Standard leasing agreements
Warranty on STEER components: 12 months
