Study: Underground Mining Equipment Manufacturers Seek Sustainable Portfolios to Meet Regulatory Pressures

A new market intelligence study evaluates the ongoing developments in the underground mining equipment market and projects their impact on the growth of the market between 2022 and 2029.

mining
A new market intelligence study evaluates the ongoing developments in the underground mining equipment market and projects their impact on the growth of the market between 2022 and 2029.
©Michael Evans – stock.adobe.com

A new market intelligence study evaluates the ongoing developments in the underground mining equipment market and projects their impact on the growth of the market between 2022 and 2029. The study projects $15.9 billion in underground mining equipment sales this year. 

The market value is likely to grow at a passive CAGR of 2.4% through 2029, the study says.

Rising adoption of automatic underground mining equipment among manufacturers to sync with the ongoing trends in the evolving mining industry is set to create tech-driven transformations in this landscape, according to the study. In addition, stringent emission regulations regarding controlled diesel emission and personnel safety in the mining industry are likely to stimulate innovations that can help with pricing pressure more efficiently and mitigate the environmental impacts of new-age underground mining equipment.

Advanced techniques of mining and their impacts on various socio-economic factors have been a prolonged concern worldwide. The shift of a majority of miners from surface or open pit mining to underground mining has further amplified concerns vis-à-vis human safety and the environmental impacts.

Technology is emerging as the most efficient tool for introducing enhanced features in underground mining equipment, and the study examines the influence of advancements in technologies and other microeconomic factors on the growth of the underground mining equipment landscape.

Mineworkers’ Inclination Toward Hard Rock Mining Equipment

The study found that every seven out of 10 underground mining equipment sold in 2021 were designated to applications associated with hard rock mining platforms. Increasing demand for hard rock minerals, such as copper, gold, zinc and lithium, in wide-ranging industries has given rise to hard rock mining activities in the mining industry. Leading players in the underground mining equipment landscape are focusing on catering to the need for improved productivity in underground hard rock mines with the launch of next-generation mining equipment.

In addition, conventional hard rock mining techniques result in the release of toxic gases including carbon dioxide (CO2), and Sulphur dioxide (SO2) among others, which is triggering the adoption of electric equipment in hard rock mines. In addition, the study finds that multi-use underground mining equipment will likely to witness high demand in the coming years.

Visibly Growing Preference for ‘Rental’ over New

In rough terrains such as the mining industry, constant wear and tear of mining equipment led to high replacement rates, incurring significant depreciation costs to the end users. As large mining machinery, including underground mining equipment, come with a significantly high price tag, purchasing new equipment creates the need for high capital investments.

A majority of miners are inclined to buy used or refurbished equipment, even considering the option of renting rather than investing in new underground mining equipment. Since a majority of mining businesses are looking to reduce their initial investments, rental service providers are likely to gain traction among in the coming years.

The study found that more than half the revenue share is accounted by rental service providers in the underground equipment market. Increasing end user preferences for rental equipment are fostering the progression of this trend in the market. A mounting number of rental service companies are offering refurbished mining equipment that are specifically tailored to suit the requirements of the underground mining sector. The report also finds that leading stakeholders and investors in the underground mining equipment landscape are focusing on providing rental service packages to suit changing needs of their customers, regarding equipment inventory.

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