Agilon Improves Everyday Operations at Europe's Largest Gold Mine Agnico Eagle in Finnish Lapland

Europe's biggest operating gold mine is in the little town of Kittilä, high above the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland. Awarded for its sustainable performance, the mine is owned by Agnico Eagle Finland Oy, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. At a challenging depth of 350 meters underground, Konecranes' Agilon improves everyday operations and sustainability.

Warehousing challenges in the mining environment

• A mine is a challenging environment, where disseminating exact information is critical for the safety of mining employees and the ease of operations.
• A mine located far from the suppliers in a secluded area must have an up-to-date material handling system.

Warehouse automation requirements

• Material handling system needs to provide and allow effective information flow for a well-functioning and secure operating environment.
• The system must fit into a curved, tunnel-like space 10 meters wide, 25 meters long, and 5 meters high and work 350 meters underground.

Results with Agilon

It was essential to ensure the Agilon system's ability to withstand external challenges, such as tremors from explosions, blast waves, dust, and humidity, which are inherent in the mining environment.

The overall implementation process was easy

• The instalment did not require a significant financial investment from the customer.
• The Agilon system was compatible with the customer's production system and, therefore, easy to integrate and implement.

Agilon improved everyday sustainability and operations

• Agilon provides valuable information, such as real-time information on component stocks, order history, search functions, a simple user interface, and overall simplicity of use for employees and suppliers.
• Information related to usage and consumption can also be monitored through the Agilon system.
• Agilon improves overall safety and protects equipment. The system stores materials such as blades, hydraulic components, respiratory masks, and safety gloves inside its shelves and tubes.
• Agilon facilitates suppliers' monitoring of safety gear stocks and ensures stocks don't run out.
• Since the quarry is in a very secluded area and there are no material suppliers in the immediate vicinity, Agilon provides valuable information for inventory management.

"We can access real-time inventory information and order history through the system. Information related to usage and consumption can also be monitored. It makes storage management transparent, trustworthy and exact," Agnico Eagle's representative explains.