Mining Automation Market Size, Share and Global Trend By Type (Underground Mining Automation, Surface Mining Automation), By Component (Equipment, Software, Communication System) and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Mining is the second most important and ancient endeavour of humankind after agriculture. The two industries are ranked as the primary industries of early civilization. Mining is the foremost source of mineral commodities that all countries find it essential for maintaining and improving their standard of living. In a recent period, automated mining is gaining importance due to better awareness of the application of advanced technology.

Previously mining activities involve a lot of manual work that poses a risk to personnel who are working in a dangerous environment. A lot of human resources required for achieving higher productivity, which involves providing safety equipment’s and high remuneration that increases overall production cost. To avoid such high cost and risk to personnel, many companies are implementing automation in their mining process.

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Automation has been identified as the most likely means to attain the next quantum jump in productivity and safety since sensing, control, and computing technology is advancing rapidly. It not only minimizes the overall production cost of the mining but also enhances the mining efficiency.

Mining automation uses several advanced technologies such as satellite communication, internet of things (IoT), automated trucks & load haul dump, etc. Therefore, mining automation is essential for offering a safe environment to personnel and increases productivity.

Mining automation market is segmented based on type and component. Type is further bifurcated into underground mining automation and surface mining automation. Automation eliminates unnecessary manpower by implying automated equipment such as load haul dump, automated drilling guns, excavators, etc. The valuable metals such as gold, silver, diamond, copper, zinc, etc. are recovered from underground mines.

It is necessary to implement automation for a risk-free and effective mining operation. Underground mining is expected to spend a large chunk of amount for automation. The component is further classified into equipment, software, and communication system.

The equipment segment is forecasted to see significant growth in the upcoming years as companies; many companies are investing for automated equipment’s. Software and communication technology is playing an essential role in offering digitalization and cloud computing services.

Working in underground mining is quite difficult owing to potential risks such as lack of proper ventilation, exposure to toxic gases, and adverse health effect. Meanwhile, by implementing automated mining, all severe such threat can be omitted which attributing the growth of the mining automation market. It reduced the overall labor cost and increased the efficiency of the plant that drives the mining automation market.

Automation involves implementation of superior technology, which requires high initial investment and unavailability of the skilled labor force is expected to restrain the growth of the mining automation market.

Key Players Covered

The key companies in mining automation are Rockwell Automation, ABB, Caterpillar Inc., Atlas Copco, Siemens, RCT, Komatsu Construction, Autonomous Solutions, Inc., Hitachi Data Systems, Hexagon, and Cisco.

SEGMENTATION

Regional Analysis

The global mining automation market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to see significant growth in mining automation as the awareness and implementation of automation in mining activities by top mining companies is expected to increase the mining automation growth. European countries are self-reliant for a wide variety of minerals and metals. Many countries in Europe are encouraging sustainable material value chain in terms of environmental soundness, a socio-economic factor which stimulates the growth of the mining automation.

The consumption of minerals and metals in the Asia Pacific is quite high, considering the significant economic development in China and India. Government and private companies are investing a considerable amount of money in enhancing the mining activities that enable the progressive way for mining automation in the Asia Pacific. The abundant availability of metals and natural resources in MEA is making a top choice of mining. Companies are deploying automated equipment for controlling and monitoring of mining activities which expected to raise the market growth of the mining automation.

Key Industry Developments

• In May 2019, Caterpillar to assist Rio Tinto in creating technologically advanced Koodaideri mine. A 20 autonomous 793F trucks will be hauling ore at Rio Tinto Koodaideri mine currently under construction in Western Australia. The company also provide four Cat autonomous drills along with loaders, dozers, graders, water carts and shovels.


• In April 2019, An agreement has been announced between Ericsson and Ambra Solutions for global cooperation to lead the automation. Ambra has selected Erisson as a radio partner of choice to provide 5G network solutions to automate ventilation system, real-time personnel, and vehicle tracking.


• In August 2018, Rockwell Automation received a $50 million contract from Codelco to supply control system for the Chuquicamata copper mine. Under this contract, the company is supposed to cover detailed engineering, supply, configuration, and assembly of four systems that comprise the mine control system.