PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1674416
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1674416
Autonomous Mining Equipment encompasses machines and vehicles that function independently or with limited human involvement, including hauling trucks and drilling rigs. These devices utilize advanced technologies such as sensors and artificial intelligence to improve safety and productivity, enhance efficiency, decrease downtime, and reduce human exposure to risks in the mining sector.
The primary types of autonomous mining equipment include autonomous hauling/mining trucks, autonomous drilling rigs, underground LHD loaders, tunnelling equipment, and other specialized types. Autonomous mining equipment minimizes the need for human intervention, enhancing safety and productivity in mining operations. The types of mines involved can be surface mines or underground mines, and these autonomous technologies find applications in various mining sectors, including metal, coal, and other specific applications.
The autonomous mining equipment market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides autonomous mining equipment market statistics, including autonomous mining equipment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an autonomous mining equipment market share, detailed autonomous mining equipment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the autonomous mining equipment industry. This autonomous mining equipment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The autonomous mining equipment market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.94 billion in 2024 to $3.14 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to past industry challenges, early adopters and pioneers, R&D investments and breakthroughs, cost efficiency demands, mining industry trends.
The autonomous mining equipment market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.88 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to adoption by competitors, emerging market trends, resource scarcity & exploration, investment trends, remote operations & connectivity, safety prioritization. Major trends in the forecast period include data analytics integration, shift toward sustainability, modular and scalable solutions, ai and automation integration, safety enhancement focus.
Increasing concerns about miners' safety are driving the growth of the autonomous mining equipment market. Mining is a hazardous occupation, facing risks such as fires, flooding, mine collapses, and health issues including respiratory diseases, hearing loss, musculoskeletal disorders, and heat stress. The introduction of autonomous equipment like robotic loaders, laser sensors, and driverless trucks can help enhance worker safety. For example, Rio Tinto is utilizing 73 driverless trucks across four of its iron mines in Australia to improve safety for workers. The use of more autonomous mining equipment aims to reduce human intervention, thereby decreasing the likelihood of accidents. According to reports from Ogletree Deakins, a US-based labor and employment firm, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported a 25% increase in fatal accidents in 2022 compared to previous years, with 38 fatalities recorded by December 2023, up from 30 fatalities in 2022. Consequently, rising concerns over the safety of mine workers are anticipated to drive the growth of the autonomous mining equipment market.
The increasing demand for critical minerals is expected to boost the autonomous mining equipment market in the coming years. A critical mineral is defined as one that is vital to a country's economy or national security, with a supply chain susceptible to disruption. Autonomous mining equipment is being more widely adopted for extracting critical minerals, as it can help lower labor and maintenance costs. For instance, in March 2024, the UK Parliament reported that in 2022, the volume of metals used in transition-related technologies was 52 million metric tons (Mt). This figure is projected to rise to 139 Mt by 2050 in the Economic Transition Scenario (ETS) and to 242 Mt in the Net Zero Scenario (NZS), signifying an increase of between 2.7x and 4.7x compared to 2022 levels. Therefore, the growing demand for critical minerals will drive the autonomous mining equipment market.
A key trend in the autonomous mining equipment market is the incorporation of data analytics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) embedded systems. These technologies are transforming the mining industry, making it safer, more profitable, and environmentally friendly. AI analyzes extensive data to predict resource locations and minimize errors, while IoT-embedded systems enhance the efficiency of mining equipment, making extraction cost-effective without compromising grades. This trend reflects the industry's commitment to improving efficiency throughout the mining process.
Major companies in the autonomous mining equipment market are concentrating on developing innovative technologies, such as mobile supervisory systems, to deliver reliable services to their customers. A mobile supervisory system (MSS) is a software application that enables users to monitor and manage industrial processes and systems remotely from any location using mobile devices like smartphones or tablets. For example, in August 2023, ABD Solutions, a UK-based provider of driverless retrofit solutions, introduced the Indigo Drive vehicle automation solution. This technology allows for the automation of mining vehicles without the need for existing infrastructure, regardless of location. The small Mobile Supervisory System comprises servers and operator stations that enable a site to monitor its fleet of automated vehicles. It is designed to operate in the harshest environments. Hot-swappable lithium-ion battery packs provide the mobile system with a full day's operation, and alternatively, the batteries can be recharged using solar energy or hydrogen generators.
In August 2022, Epiroc completed the acquisition of RNP Mexico, reinforcing its offerings in rock drills and spare parts in Latin America. This strategic move strengthens Epiroc's presence in the region, catering to the needs of mining and construction customers. The acquisition positions Epiroc as a key player in Latin America's mining equipment market.
Major companies operating in the autonomous mining equipment market include Aktiebolaget Volvo, Hitachi Ltd., Caterpillar Inc., Rio Tinto Company Limited, Vale S.A., Anglo American plc, ABB Ltd., Komatsu Ltd., Liebherr-International AG, Atlas Copco AB, Newmont Corporation, Sandvik AB, Barrick Gold Corporation, South32 Limited, Rockwell Automation Inc., First Quantum Minerals Ltd., Hexagon AB, Epiroc AB, Gold Fields Limited, Newcrest Mining Limited, Trimble Inc., OZ Minerals Limited, Autonomous Solutions Inc.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the autonomous mining equipment market in 2024. North America was the second-largest region in the autonomous mining equipment market share. The regions covered in the autonomous mining equipment market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the autonomous mining equipment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The autonomous mining equipment market consists of sales of mining equipment which function with minimal human intervention and primarily help in safe mining and transportation of ores and other materials. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Autonomous Mining Equipment Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on autonomous mining equipment market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for autonomous mining equipment ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The autonomous mining equipment market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.