Mining Automation Market - Size, Share, Industry Trends, and Forecasts (2025-2032)

By Component:

Based on component, the market is segmented into hardware, software, and services.

Trends in the component:

• Increasing technological advancements associated with mining automation devices such as sensors, controllers, power supply systems, and others.
• Rising trend towards adoption of automation devices in mining sector for constant process monitoring, optimization, and improved operational efficiency.

The hardware segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 55.35% of the total mining automation market share in 2024.

• The primary hardware components include programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, power supply systems, mining equipment, and others
• PLCs are industrial computers used to control machinery and processes automatically. Meanwhile, connected sensors and data loggers are used for collecting real-time data on equipment performance and environmental conditions.
• Moreover, the aforementioned hardware components help in facilitating automation within mining sector, in turn leading to improved efficiency, precision, and safety in mining processes.
• For instance, in February 2024, WEG launched its new PLC410 model of programmable logic controller. The new programmable logic controller offers a versatile solution for industrial automation, which can be applied in several industrial sectors.
• According to the analysis, the rising innovations associated with hardware components for facilitating automation within mining sector are driving the mining automation market.

The software segment is anticipated to register fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period.

• Mining automation software provides a centralized platform for monitoring and controlling the automation systems used within mines. The software has ability to capture, organize and analyze data to monitor mining equipment and system performance.
• Moreover, the benefits of integrating automation software include smarter maintenance and effective analysis of mining equipment performance. Automation software also assists in managing the operation of mining machinery and equipment while allowing remote control and autonomous functionality.
• In October 2022, Schneider Electric launched EcoStruxure Automation Expert 22.1, its next-generation of industrial automation software. The upgraded industrial automation software is capable of supporting larger industrial operations and additional communication protocols.
• Therefore, the increasing advancements associated with automation software are anticipated to boost the mining automation market size during the forecast period.

By Mining Type:

Based on mining type, the market is segmented into surface mining and underground mining.

Trends in the mining type:

• There is an increasing trend towards adoption of surface mining for retrieving sand, coal, gravel, stones, copper, iron, and other minerals/metals.
• Rising trend in utilization of automation solutions in surface and underground mining for increasing operational safety and efficiency of mining operations.

Surface mining segment accounted for the largest revenue share in the overall mining automation market share in 2024.

• Surface mining involves the process of removing the terrain surface for accessing minerals underneath. Surface mining is primarily used for retrieving sand, gravel, coal, stones, copper, iron, and other minerals/metals.
• Moreover, surface mining is often preferred by mining companies, attributing to its lower costs, increased safety, and fewer complications in terms of electricity and water.
• Additionally, automation solutions are primarily employed in surface mining for enhancing operational efficiency, safety, and productivity.
• Automation solutions are typically used in surface mining to facilitate automated drilling, autonomous haulage systems, remote monitoring and control, and other related mining operations.

• For instance, in December 2023, Epiroc launched its new digital solutions for surface mining. The offering includes the new release for safe blasting, blast support and situational awareness. Situational awareness solution is integrated with zone-based messages, which is a new feature that has the ability to direct warning messages to individuals located in defined risk zones. Zone-based messages can be automated through event automation scripts that are activated by IoT sensors for improved ground stability,

• Therefore, the rising developments associated automation solutions for surface mining are driving the mining automation market trends.

Underground mining segment is anticipated to register a substantial CAGR growth during the forecast period.

• Underground mining refers to a type of mining technique that involves the extraction of minerals that are situated deep within the earth, which cannot be easily accessed from the surface.
• Underground mining method usually involves creation of tunnels or shafts to reach the deposits, which enables extraction of materials without disturbing the surface above.
• Moreover, automation solutions play a crucial role in underground mining for improving safety and efficiency of underground operations. Automation solutions are primarily used in underground mining for applications including automated mining equipment, autonomous drilling systems, real-time monitoring systems, automated transport systems, and others.
• For instance, in November 2023, Sandvik AB launched AutoMine for underground drills, which is a tele-remote solution that allows mining operators to remotely control and manage numerous automated Sandvik underground drills. The AutoMine solution for underground drills offers increased safety, improved efficiency, and enhanced productivity in mining operations.
• Therefore, the rising advancements associated with automation solutions for underground mining are expected to drive the market during the forecast period.

By Application:

Based on the application, the market is segmented into metal mining and mineral mining.

Trends in the application:

• Factors including growing demand for metals and minerals along with rising investments in mining projects are driving the utilization of automation solutions in metal mining and mineral mining applications.
• The prevalence of favorable government initiatives for industrial automation is among the key factors driving the adoption of automation solutions in mining sector.

Metal mining segment accounted for a significant revenue share in the total market in 2024.

• Metal mining primarily involves the extraction of precious and base metals including gold, silver, copper, iron, and others.
• Automation solutions such as autonomous haul trucks, robotic drills, real-time control/monitoring systems, and others are primarily used in metal mines for increasing operational efficiency and safety, along with handling operational complexities associated with metal mining. 
• For instance, Rockwell Automation offers automated mining solutions in its product offerings for utilization in metal mining and processing applications among others. The automated mining solutions offer improved metal refining and material handling along with facilitating optimized operations and increased operational efficiency.
• According to the analysis, the rising advancements related to automated mining solutions for use in metal mining applications are driving the mining automation market growth.

Mineral mining segment is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

• Mineral mining typically involves the extraction of non-metallic minerals such as sand, coal, gravel, gypsum, and others.
• Moreover, the expansion of mineral mining segment is attributed to the rising adoption of automation solutions in mineral mining sector for optimizing mining processes and operations with minimal human intervention.
• For instance, ABB offers a broad range of automation solutions for use in mineral mining applications in its solution offerings. ABB’s automated solutions are designed to attain the highest plant productivity, increased safety, and improved operational efficiency in mineral mining applications.

• Hence, the increasing advancements associated with automation solutions for mineral mining applications are projected to boost the market during the forecast period.