Mining Machinery and Equipment Market Overview
Global mining machinery and equipment market size in 2024 is estimated to be USD 1397.71 million, with projections to grow to USD 1638.28 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 1.8%.
The mining machinery and equipment market is a vital industrial sector supporting the extraction of metals, minerals, and coal from the earth. Globally, more than 8,000 active mines utilize over 150,000 pieces of machinery for operations such as excavation, hauling, crushing, screening, and material handling. The global fleet includes 35,000 surface mining trucks, 15,000 underground load-haul-dump (LHD) machines, and 22,000 rotary drills. Approximately 40% of total mining equipment demand originates from metal mining, 35% from coal, and 25% from industrial minerals.
The demand for mining equipment is intensifying due to a rise in global mineral exploration budgets, which increased by 20% in the past year, amounting to over 10,000 exploration projects worldwide. The growing shift toward electric and battery-powered mining machinery is also gaining traction, with electric-powered equipment now accounting for 15% of new machinery sales. Furthermore, automation and digitization have penetrated over 25% of large-scale mining operations, driving demand for intelligent drilling rigs and autonomous haul trucks. The average mine now spends over $5 million annually on digital monitoring and control equipment.
The mining machinery and equipment market is significantly impacted by rising commodity demands, aging mine infrastructure, and the expansion of deep mining projects, particularly in Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific regions.
Key Findings
Top Driver reason: Rising demand for mineral resources such as copper, lithium, and iron ore due to electric vehicle and renewable energy demand.
Top Country/Region: Asia-Pacific dominates the mining machinery and equipment market with over 45% of global demand share in units.
Top Segment: Surface mining machinery accounts for the largest segment, comprising nearly 38% of total equipment volume sold globally.
Mining Machinery and Equipment Market Trends
The mining machinery and equipment market is shaped by notable trends focusing on automation, electrification, and safety enhancement. The deployment of autonomous trucks and drills has grown steadily, with over 1,000 autonomous haul trucks operational worldwide as of 2024. Companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP have reported up to 15% productivity gains from automation, leading to widespread adoption. Around 35% of large mining companies have partially automated at least one mine site.
Electric and hybrid mining equipment adoption has increased rapidly due to stricter emission regulations and carbon-neutral goals. By 2024, over 3,500 units of battery-electric LHD machines and electric haul trucks have been deployed globally. For instance, over 20 underground mines in Canada now operate with zero-emission equipment, significantly reducing ventilation costs by up to 40%.
Another trend reshaping the sector is predictive maintenance using IoT sensors. More than 10,000 mining machines globally are now equipped with real-time monitoring systems, helping reduce downtime by up to 25%. Sensor-based technology has also improved safety performance by identifying machinery stress levels and enabling preventive action.
Digital twin technology is emerging as a critical trend, enabling virtual simulation of mine operations. Around 150 mine operators worldwide now use digital twin platforms to optimize fleet utilization and energy efficiency. Further, remote-controlled equipment has enhanced workforce safety, especially in high-risk underground environments. The use of remote and semi-autonomous machines grew by 20% between 2023 and 2024.
Mining Machinery and Equipment Market Dynamics
DRIVER
Rising demand for critical minerals and energy transition metals
The surging demand for lithium, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements—driven by clean energy, battery storage, and EV expansion—is fueling the global need for advanced mining machinery. In 2023 alone, lithium demand grew by over 32%, prompting exploration and mining operations in over 17 new regions across South America and Africa. This, in turn, required over 8,000 new pieces of equipment for drilling, hauling, and processing. Governments are prioritizing domestic mineral security, leading to increased investment in equipment procurement and fleet expansion.
RESTRAINT
Demand for refurbished and rental equipment
The high capital cost of mining machinery, often exceeding $2 million per unit for surface drills and large haul trucks, has led many small and medium-sized mining operations to opt for refurbished or rented machinery. Over 20% of surface mining operators in Africa and Southeast Asia now rely on second-hand equipment. This shift negatively affects the demand for new machinery. Furthermore, supply chain volatility in components such as steel tracks and hydraulic systems has extended lead times for new equipment delivery by up to 18 months, further intensifying the appeal of used machinery.
OPPORTUNITY
Government-backed exploration initiatives and green mining projects
Many countries have rolled out government-supported exploration and mining programs. For instance, India approved 100 mining exploration projects in 2023 with a total budget of over INR 3,000 crore. Similarly, Chile, Brazil, and Australia are investing in sustainable mining infrastructure and offering subsidies for electric and autonomous equipment. Over 15 countries have launched “green mining” initiatives that mandate electric-powered equipment and pollution monitoring systems, leading to a surge in demand for eco-friendly machinery and software-integrated tools.
CHALLENGE
Rising operational costs and equipment downtime
Mining companies report an average of 15% operational cost increase year-over-year, driven by inflation in fuel prices, labor shortages, and equipment maintenance. The cost of replacing components like hydraulic cylinders and conveyor belts has increased by 12% since 2022. Unscheduled downtimes—often exceeding 500 hours annually per site—lead to losses of over $150,000 per incident. These factors challenge equipment uptime, reliability, and fleet efficiency, pushing mining companies to rethink maintenance strategies and adopt predictive analytics tools.
Mining Machinery and Equipment Market Segmentation
The mining machinery and equipment market is segmented based on type and application. Equipment types include underground mining machinery, surface mining machinery, drills and breakers, screening equipment, mineral processing machinery, feed conveyors, stackers, and reclaimers. Applications include transportation, processing, and excavation activities across coal, minerals, and metals mining. Each segment serves a specific purpose and varies based on geology, extraction depth, and resource type.
By Type
- Underground Mining Machinery: Over 18,000 underground LHDs and shuttle cars are used worldwide, especially in coal and precious metal mines. These machines must withstand confined spaces, and their average operating depth is over 800 meters.
- Surface Mining Machinery: Surface equipment such as hydraulic shovels and draglines account for approximately 38% of global sales. Over 22,000 surface trucks are operational globally, many with payloads exceeding 220 tons.
- Drills and Breakers: Rotary and percussion drills are critical in over 85% of exploration activities. More than 10,000 new drill rigs were commissioned in 2023 across Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
- Screening Equipment: Used in mineral grading, screening machinery has seen a 15% increase in demand. Around 5,000 mobile screeners are used in open-pit mining globally.
- Mineral Processing Machinery: Crushers, mills, and flotation machines dominate mineral refining. Over 12,000 crushers were installed between 2022 and 2024 globally.
- Feed Conveyors: Conveyor systems exceed 200,000 km globally across all mines. Automated conveyors help reduce manpower by 25% and increase efficiency.
- Stackers and Reclaimers: Used mainly in iron ore and coal yards, stacker-reclaimers handle over 150 million tons of material annually in India and China alone.
By Application
- Transportation: Haul trucks, loaders, and conveyors are used for ore and waste removal. These account for 30% of total machinery demand globally.
- Processing: Crushing, milling, and flotation machinery form over 25% of equipment in operations, especially in base metal mining.
- Excavation in Coal: Over 1.5 billion tons of coal were excavated in 2023 globally, requiring over 40,000 units of equipment.
- Minerals Mining: Non-metallic minerals such as gypsum, phosphate, and potash contribute to over 15% of mining equipment demand.
- Metals Mining: Gold, copper, iron ore, and aluminum mining consumes the largest share of machinery—over 45% of total equipment used.
Mining Machinery and Equipment Market Regional Outlook
The mining machinery and equipment market exhibits strong geographic variation. Asia-Pacific holds the largest market share, driven by high demand in China, India, and Indonesia. North America’s market is defined by advanced mining technology and high equipment penetration. Europe is transitioning to electrified and autonomous mining fleets. Latin America, led by Brazil and Chile, is rapidly expanding lithium and copper mining, whereas Africa is emerging as a frontier market, rich in resources and undergoing fleet modernization.
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North America
North America accounts for around 22% of the global mining equipment demand. The U.S. has over 13,000 active mines requiring more than 40,000 machines. Canada leads in underground electric equipment, with over 1,500 electric LHDs deployed in 2023. The U.S. has added 3,200 new machines annually, focusing on autonomous drills and AI-integrated fleet systems.
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Europe
Europe emphasizes sustainable and automated mining. Countries like Germany, Sweden, and Poland operate over 8,000 mines and use nearly 20,000 units of machinery. Electric excavators and emission-free drilling systems are prominent, particularly in the Nordic countries. Over 1,200 autonomous units were added in 2023 alone.
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Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific leads in volume, contributing 45% of global mining equipment use. China, India, and Australia are top players, with over 80,000 machines deployed across 25,000 mines. India alone added 9,500 units of mining machinery in 2023, especially in coal and iron ore segments. China dominates in the manufacture of low-cost but high-volume equipment.
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Middle East & Africa
Africa holds over 30% of global mineral reserves and is rapidly scaling mining activities. South Africa, Ghana, and the DRC use more than 20,000 units of equipment, primarily in gold and copper extraction. Equipment imports increased by 18% in 2023. In the Middle East, Iran and Saudi Arabia are expanding mineral mining projects, with over 5,000 machines in operation.
List of Top Mining Machinery and Equipment Market Companies
- Caterpillar Inc.
- Komatsu Ltd.
- Metso Corporation
- Sandvik AB
- Doosan Corporation
- Liebherr
- Hitachi
- Atlas Copco AB
- Epiroc AB
- SANY Group
- Hyundai Heavy Industries Group
- Astec Industries Incorporated
- Bell Equipment Limited
- Boart Longyear Ltd
- FLSmidth & Co.
Top Two Companies with highest share
Caterpillar Inc.: leads with over 35,000 mining machines sold globally and a footprint in 180+ countries.
Komatsu Ltd.: operates over 20 production units worldwide and delivered over 25,000 units between 2022–2024.
Investment Analysis and Opportunities
The mining machinery and equipment market is witnessing substantial investment activity as mining companies upgrade fleets, digitize operations, and transition to sustainability. In 2023, capital expenditures on new machinery reached historical highs, with over 60 major mining corporations allocating more than $15 billion collectively toward new equipment and digital solutions.
Private equity and institutional investors are increasingly participating in mining equipment financing. Leasing programs, previously underutilized in this sector, grew by 27% year-over-year, enabling small- and mid-sized mining operations to access advanced machinery without upfront capital burdens. For example, in South Africa, over 400 new mining machines were leased under 3-year contracts in 2023 alone.
Governments are also supporting investments through incentives and subsidies. Australia’s “Mining Equipment Technology Services” (METS) strategy enabled over 300 local suppliers to receive direct funding for equipment development and innovation. Similarly, India’s strategic initiative for domestic coal mining modernization involved financial incentives for procurement of over 5,000 machines in 2023.
Technological startups offering AI-powered machinery diagnostics, equipment telemetry, and predictive maintenance platforms have seen increased venture funding. More than 50 equipment tech startups secured funding rounds in 2023, with an average deal size of $12 million. These tools are expected to reduce operating costs by 18% and improve equipment lifespan by 30%.
Major mining corporations are now committing to net-zero targets, redirecting their CAPEX toward electric and hybrid equipment. Over 200 new contracts for battery-powered drills and loaders were signed in 2023–2024, especially across North America and Europe. Electrification of fleets is estimated to reduce energy costs by up to 25% and improve compliance with environmental mandates.
New Product Development
Innovation in mining machinery and equipment is rapidly reshaping the sector. In 2023–2024, over 200 new products were launched globally, focused on automation, emissions reduction, and operational efficiency. Leading companies are integrating electric drivetrains, AI software, and real-time monitoring technologies into next-generation machinery.
Caterpillar unveiled its battery-electric haul truck prototype, the 793 Electric, in 2023. With a payload capacity of 240 tons and a fully electric propulsion system, the vehicle demonstrated a 20% reduction in total cost of ownership during pilot runs. The company plans to scale production with delivery to over 15 mining sites by 2025.
Komatsu introduced the PC01E-1 electric micro excavator equipped with a lithium-ion battery system, targeting underground operations and confined mining tunnels. This model reduced noise by 90 dB and eliminated on-site emissions entirely. Komatsu also expanded its Smart Construction platform to integrate real-time fleet data, GPS tracking, and performance optimization.
Sandvik developed the AutoMine Concept Loader, a fully autonomous loader that can be controlled remotely or operate in swarm configurations. In 2024, it was deployed in six pilot mines across Canada and Sweden, improving loading efficiency by 15% and reducing accident risk by 80%.
Epiroc launched the Scooptram ST14 Battery, featuring zero-emission performance and rapid charging capabilities. Over 100 units were deployed in Canada and Australia, with an average operational duration of 5–6 hours per charge. Their proprietary SmartDrive system allows for adaptive energy management and brake energy recovery.
Metso Outotec expanded its Planet Positive portfolio by launching sustainable mineral processing equipment, including energy-efficient crushers and wear-resistant liners made from 60% recycled steel. These innovations helped reduce processing energy requirements by 12% on average.
Five Recent Developments
- Caterpillar (2024): Delivered the first fleet of battery-electric trucks to a copper mine in Arizona, totaling 12 units with zero emissions and 240-ton capacity.
- Komatsu (2023): Partnered with Rio Tinto to trial autonomous water trucks with onboard AI dust suppression, improving environmental compliance by 18%.
- Sandvik (2024): Completed acquisition of Deswik, a mining software company, to enhance its digital mine planning and equipment integration offerings.
- Epiroc (2023): Deployed 50 battery-electric Boomer drill rigs in Nordic countries for underground mining operations, achieving 25% ventilation energy savings.
- FLSmidth (2024): Launched an eco-efficient flotation machine that consumes 15% less energy and increased copper recovery rates by 4% during trials in Chile.
Report Coverage of Mining Machinery and Equipment Market
This market analysis comprehensively covers the global mining machinery and equipment landscape, including trends, segmentation, regional dynamics, key players, investments, and recent developments. The report encapsulates data from more than 50 countries, reflecting over 150,000 operational mining machines across active coal, metal, and industrial mineral extraction sites.
The study analyzes all major equipment types, including surface and underground mining machinery, drills, crushers, stackers, conveyors, screening systems, and mineral processing units. It evaluates their operational penetration across excavation, transportation, and processing applications, with demand figures derived from industry data sets and fleet registration logs.
Detailed regional assessments span Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa, evaluating the number of active mines, equipment deployed, fleet expansion rates, electrification trends, and government support mechanisms. Asia-Pacific’s dominant market share is highlighted, with over 80,000 mining machines active in China, India, and Australia alone.
Segmentation insights are based on operational utility and mine type, exploring equipment demand across coal, metal, and mineral sectors. The report accounts for both surface and subsurface environments, assessing depth of operation, machinery specifications, and safety feature integration.
The market coverage includes a thorough analysis of dynamics—drivers such as mineral demand and sustainability efforts; restraints such as used machinery preference; challenges such as rising costs; and opportunities such as digital mining and green technology adaptation. These dynamics are supported by numerical facts, including machine counts, deployment regions, and operational KPIs.
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