Industrial Automation and Electrification Remain Core Mining Priorities
At its 2026 Capital Markets Day in Örebro, Sweden, Epiroc presented the latest developments in mining automation, digitalization, and electrification. The company reaffirmed its long-term commitment to advanced industrial automation technologies despite slower market adoption rates across the mining sector.
Mining companies continue to face pressure to improve safety, productivity, and sustainability. As a result, automation systems, battery-electric equipment, and digital control platforms remain strategic investment areas for leading mining operators worldwide.
Autonomous Mining Equipment Expands Across Global Operations
Epiroc reported that approximately 3,900 autonomous and driverless machines are currently operating in mining sites worldwide. This represents growth compared to previous years, demonstrating that autonomous mining technology continues to gain acceptance among major mining companies.
The company's automation portfolio includes autonomous drilling rigs, loaders, and haulage equipment. These solutions integrate advanced control systems, industrial communication networks, sensors, and remote operation technologies.
From an industrial automation perspective, autonomous mining equipment functions similarly to large-scale PLC and DCS architectures. Multiple control layers coordinate machine movements, safety functions, fleet management, and production optimization in real time.
Electrification Adoption Continues Despite Market Challenges
Electrification was another major focus during the event. Epiroc announced that battery-electric vehicles are now operating at around 40 mining sites globally. Although deployment growth has moderated compared to earlier expectations, the company continues to expand its electric equipment portfolio.
The mining industry faces several barriers when implementing electrification projects. High capital expenditure, charging infrastructure requirements, and uncertain commodity markets often delay investment decisions.
However, many operators recognize the long-term benefits of electric fleets, including:
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Lower underground ventilation requirements
- Improved energy efficiency
- Enhanced workplace safety
- Reduced maintenance costs
These advantages support ongoing adoption of battery-electric mining equipment across both underground and surface operations.
New Battery-Electric Platforms Target Higher Productivity
One of the most significant announcements involved the development of the Scooptram ST14 SG battery-electric loader and the Minetruck MT66 S eDrive platform. Epiroc expects future upgrades to increase operating time while significantly reducing charging durations.
According to company projections, improvements in battery technology and charging infrastructure could increase operating time by approximately 15% while reducing charging time by nearly 60% by 2027.
For industrial automation engineers, these advancements highlight the growing importance of integrated power management systems, energy monitoring platforms, and intelligent charging control technologies within modern mining operations.
Digitalization Strengthens Modern Control Systems
Beyond autonomous equipment and electrification, Epiroc continues to invest heavily in digitalization initiatives. The company's strategy emphasizes data-driven operations, predictive maintenance, and remote monitoring capabilities.
Modern mining environments increasingly rely on interconnected industrial automation platforms. These systems combine:
- PLC-based machine control
- DCS process supervision
- SCADA visualization
- Industrial IoT connectivity
- Cloud-based analytics
- Artificial intelligence applications
As a result, mining companies gain greater operational visibility while improving equipment utilization and production efficiency.
Sustainability Goals Drive Technology Investments
Epiroc also highlighted progress toward its long-term sustainability objectives. The company stated that approximately 43% of its product offering is now available with fossil-free alternatives. The goal remains to provide fossil-free options across the entire product portfolio by 2030.
This trend reflects broader industry movement toward sustainable industrial automation solutions. Equipment manufacturers increasingly integrate energy-efficient drives, intelligent control systems, and electrified powertrains into new product designs.
Consequently, automation engineers play a critical role in helping mining operators achieve both productivity and environmental targets.
Expert Analysis: Automation Growth Is Becoming More Strategic
From my experience working with industrial control systems and automation projects, the slower adoption rate reported by Epiroc should not be interpreted as declining interest in automation.
Instead, many mining companies are becoming more selective and strategic in their technology investments. Operators now require clear return-on-investment calculations before approving large-scale automation or electrification projects.
This shift is common across industrial sectors. Whether implementing PLC-based factory automation, DCS modernization, or autonomous mining systems, customers increasingly focus on measurable business outcomes rather than technology adoption alone.
Therefore, suppliers that can demonstrate productivity improvements, safety benefits, and operational cost reductions will likely achieve stronger market growth over the coming years.
The Future of Factory Automation and Mining Control Systems
The future of mining closely mirrors developments seen in advanced factory automation environments. Autonomous equipment, remote operations, industrial AI, and electrified machinery are becoming interconnected components of a unified digital ecosystem.
Leading suppliers such as Epiroc continue to invest in:
- Autonomous operations
- Industrial automation platforms
- Battery-electric equipment
- Remote control centers
- Digital twin technology
- Predictive maintenance solutions
These technologies will increasingly shape next-generation mining operations and influence broader industrial automation strategies worldwide.
Application Scenario
A large underground copper mine deploys autonomous loaders, battery-electric haul trucks, PLC-controlled ventilation systems, and centralized DCS monitoring. The integrated solution enables remote operation, reduces diesel emissions, improves worker safety, and increases equipment utilization. Real-time production data supports predictive maintenance and operational optimization, creating a highly efficient digital mining environment.
About the Author
Zhang Weihao
Zhang Weihao is a senior industrial automation specialist with over 15 years of experience in PLC, DCS, SCADA, electrical protection, and mining automation technologies. He has contributed technical articles and industry analyses for global industrial automation media and equipment manufacturers, focusing on digital transformation, autonomous operations, industrial control systems, and sustainable mining technologies.