Abstract
Environmental Regulations Constrain Opening of New Mines
Ecological concerns associated with mining such as pollutants from drilling and blasting as well
as leakage of fuel, oil, and other lubricants into ground water are hindering the opening up of new
mines or increasing the capacity of the existing ones. Strict environmental regulations are also
restricting the issue of new mining licenses, extension of mining leases, and the mining of new
areas, thereby creating a highly challenging atmosphere for manufacturers of mining machinery. At
the same time, pressure to mine from the same properties is increasing mine sizes and driving demand
for greater capacity and larger machinery to maintain the profitability and productivity of the
mines.
This Frost & Sullivan research service analyzes the North American mining machinery (both
surface and underground) and mineral processing machinery (crushing, screening, and pulverizing)
markets. It discusses the various market trends and opportunities while providing an in-depth
analysis of market share, forecasts, drivers, restraints, and revenues. The comprehensive focus of
the study enables companies to align their positioning strategies to benefit from the changing
markets and obtain maximum return on investment.
Top Class Technologies Increases Demand for Mining Machinery
The need for improved efficiencies, better productivity, and improvisation in mining methods is
encouraging mining companies to upgrade their infrastructure and purchase sophisticated machinery.
"Apart from the structural design changes in the machines, lots of improvements are taking
place in the diagnostic and performance monitoring devices for reducing the downtime," observes
the analyst of this research service.
Improved motor design, process sensor controls, online analysis, advanced communication
technologies, and instrumentation robotics have played a vital role in improving the energy and
production efficiencies of the mining industry. There have also been significant changes in the
machine design processes. Software applications are available for automating and integrating the
entire manufacturing and assembling processes. Design and simulation software are also available for
simplifying the design, development, and prototype testing.
Rise in Demand for Base Metals and Coal Boosts Mining Activity and Machinery Sales
Rising prices of coal and other minerals are driving growth in the mining industry and is
boosting investments in machinery by mining companies. Most of the mining companies in North America
produce coal and base metals such as gold, silver, copper, aluminum, and iron. The United States and
Canada rank among the top five producers of coal and seventeen other base metals and therefore
generate huge revenues for the mining industry.
"Currently, most of the demand for North American metal ores is coming from the booming
manufacturing sectors in Asian countries such as China and India," says the analyst.
"Consequently, the mining companies are looking to modernize and upgrade their mines by
increasing investment in mining machinery and mineral processing equipment."