Pushing Boundaries in the North

posted: 09/01/2026

At Glencore Canada, innovation is more than a buzzword – it’s a necessity. Nowhere is that more evident than at Raglan Mine, our nickel operation located in the remote sub-Arctic region of Nunavik, Northern Quebec. Through our ConnectedMine initiative, Raglan Mine is transforming how mining is done – leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies to help boost safety, productivity, and sustainability in a very harsh environment.

Mining smarter, not harder

Operating in the Arctic presents unique challenges: extreme weather, isolation, and complex logistics. But these same constraints also create fertile ground for innovation. Raglan Mine’s ConnectedMine initiative is the team’s bold answer to these challenges – a digital transformation strategy that integrates real-time data, automation, and analytics to help optimize the mining process.

Using a combination of underground long-term evolution, Internet of Things-enabled equipment, advanced analytics, and autonomous systems, the ConnectedMine initiative seeks to create a highly integrated ecosystem where machines, people, and data flow together seamlessly. This networked infrastructure supports smarter decisions and faster responses to daily operational needs, even from hundreds of kilometres away.

François Perron, Control Room Supervisor, in the underground operations room at Raglan Mine in Nunavik.

Enhancing safety underground

Innovation at Raglan Mine is guided by one principle: safety first. The ConnectedMine initiative includes proximity detection tracking systems, allowing for real-time location monitoring of underground equipment. In the event of an emergency, this capability supports the coordinating of safer and swifter evacuations.

Wireless communication and remote-operated equipment also help reduce the need for personnel to work in high-risk zones. For example, loaders and drills equipped with remote-control or semi-autonomous capabilities can help keep workers at a safe distance while increasing productivity.

Data-driven operations

One of the cornerstone achievements of the ConnectedMine initiative is the implementation of real-time monitoring and analytics. By equipping mobile and fixed assets with sensors and connectivity, we can now gather and analyze vast amounts of data – on equipment performance, geotechnical conditions, energy consumption, and more.

This data is visualized and acted upon in centralized control rooms, where operators receive timely insights that help guide decision-making. Fuel usage and ventilation can be optimized to help minimize environmental impact. And production schedules can be adapted in real time to meet targets more efficiently.

"Raglan Mine’s digital transformation has been successful because the project has been strongly guided by the practical needs of stakeholders at the mining operations level, alongside partnerships with suppliers who are willing to steer their product development toward those needs.

ConnectedMine is a long-running “project of projects,” spanning many years, with some components of the initial scope only now being deployed. Identifying opportunities to deliver value to frontline employees throughout the journey – even if solutions are imperfect – will be crucial to sustaining buy-in and enthusiasm."

Daniel Alksnis - Underground Systems Mining Engineer

Empowering a remote workforce

Innovation is not only about technology – it’s also about people. Raglan Mine employs over 1,000 people, including a significant number of Inuit employees from the local communities. As part of the ConnectedMine initiative, we’re investing in training programs that equip our workforce with digital skills that are becoming increasingly important in the modern mining industry.

Operators, technicians, and engineers have been trained to work with data-driven tools, autonomous systems, and next-generation equipment. This helps future-proof our workforce while building long-term capacity within local communities. We believe that inclusive innovation – where everyone benefits – is key to success.

A model for the future of mining

The ConnectedMine is not just an isolated project; it’s a blueprint for the future of mining at Glencore. As we look to reduce our environmental footprint and enhance operational excellence, Raglan Mine’s experience offers valuable lessons in how to innovate responsibly in even the most challenging conditions.

Through this initiative, we are not only optimizing production – we are rethinking what it means to mine. From sensors to software, from people to process, ConnectedMine at Raglan Mine demonstrates how digital transformation can unlock new levels of safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

As we continue to scale and evolve the ConnectedMine initiative, our goal is clear: to lead the industry in smart, sustainable mining – and to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Canada’s Far North.