The mushrooming requirement for automated systems in mining operations is fueling the use of electric vehicles and robotics in the mining sector. Historically, the mining industry has been a highly labor-intensive industry. However, with rapid technological advancements, the increasing implementation of government regulations aimed at promoting workforce safety, and the hurdles and obstacles associated with finding skilled workers, the adoption of automation is rising in the industry. Besides, the rapid digital transformation and the surging incorporation of advanced technologies are also providing lucrative growth opportunities to mining companies.
Moreover, many mining companies are increasingly focusing on enhancing production, improving efficiency, making the overall work environment less hazardous and safer, and reducing the overall cost. Additionally, several mining firms are leveraging the industrial internet of things (IIoT) in order to ensure a highly connected network among different stakeholders in the mining industry and allow autonomous control in various processes while building sustainable value chains. This is predicted to fuel the expansion of the global electric vehicles and robotics in mining market in the coming years.
Autonomous drilling rigs, autonomous hauling/mining trucks, underground load haul dump (LHD) loaders, and tunnelling equipment are the most widely used types of automated systems in the mining sector. Out of these, the use of autonomous hauling/mining trucks is predicted to surge sharply in the coming years. In addition, with huge investments being made in mobile robot platforms and autonomous trucks, the demand for material handling systems is predicted to soar in the forthcoming years.
Soft rock mining and hard rock mining are the major application areas of electric vehicles and robotics in the mining industry. Hard rock basically refers to several underground mining methods that are used for excavating hard minerals, such as ore containing silver, gold, copper, and iron. The use of electric vehicles and robotics was significantly high in these applications during the last few years. However, in the coming years, the adoption of electric vehicles and robotics is expected to rise at a faster pace in soft rock mining applications.
Globally, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region will hold the largest share in the electric vehicles and robotics in mining market in the coming years, as per the estimates of the market research company, P&S Intelligence. This is ascribed to the fact that China is one of the largest producers of coal in the world, with the country accounting for around 47% of the total coal produced across the world. Indonesia and Australia are the other major coal producers in the region. The use of electric vehicles and robotics will also shoot up in the mining industry in Latin, America, Middle East, and Africa (LAMEA) in the upcoming years.
Thus, the use of electric vehicles and robotics is set to surge in mining operations in the years to come, primarily because of the growing requirement for automation in the mining sector and mushrooming demand for advanced technologies and mining techniques all over the world.
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