PUBLISHER: Orion Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1882948
PUBLISHER: Orion Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1882948
Mining Drills and Breakers Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product Type (Drill and Breaker) by Application (Metal mining, Mineral mining, and Coal mining), by Operation (Surface and Underground), and by Business Model (OEM, Aftermarket/Spare Parts & Service, and Rental), Forecast Period (2026-2035)
Industry Overview
Mining drills and breakers market was valued at $18.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $39.2 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period (2026-2035). The global mining drills and breakers market is expanding at a fast pace owing to the rising demand for minerals and metals, technological advancements and automation, and the expansion of mining activities in new and remote terrains. The expansion of mining equipment companies into new regions plays a major role in driving market growth and competitiveness. Such expansions also enable firms to tap into untapped mineral reserves and align with regional mining investments and government initiatives.
Recent Strategic Expansions by Key Mining Equipment Manufacturers
Market Dynamics
Adoption and Expansion of Electric Drills in the Mining Industry
Electric motors find extensive applications in the mining industry, playing critical roles in many elements of mining operations. The adoption of electric drills is increasing as operators require more efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-emission alternatives to conventional diesel- or hydraulically powered drilling equipment. Major mining equipment manufacturers are progressively expanding their electric drill offerings to address this demand, incorporating them into their product portfolios for both underground and surface mining applications. Market players such as Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions currently offer electric versions of their entire range of next-generation intelligent rotary blasthole drills. Furthermore, the company's latest initiative is to offer customers solutions that support the mining industry's sustainability shift. Sandvik DR410iE, Sandvik DR411iE, Sandvik DR412iE, Sandvik DR413iE, and Sandvik DR416iE comprise an intelligent electric rotary range covering hole diameters from 152 to 406 millimeters (6 to 16 inches). Additionally, other mining equipment manufacturers, including Komatsu, Epiroc, and Shanghai Goodeng International Co., Ltd., are increasingly investing in electric drilling equipment to support sustainable and efficient mining operations.
Regulatory and Environmental Restraints Affecting the Mining Drills and Breakers Market
Regulatory burdens and environmental concerns can significantly increase costs, delay projects, or even halt certain drilling & breaking operations in mining. For instance, in March 2025, Cadia goldmine operators were ordered to pay $350,000 in fines and convicted of three offences after a prosecution by the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority. Furthermore, in 2025, India's first auction of 13 offshore mineral blocks for mining experienced delays as private participants exercised caution amid regulatory complexities and environmental constraints. The implementation of stringent requirements, including detailed environmental management plans and ecosystem protection measures, heightened compliance costs and created operational uncertainty. These stricter norms have resulted in increased capital investment and higher operational expenditures for potential project developers.
Market Segmentation
Rotary Drills: Essential Equipment for Surface and Underground Mining
Rotary drills find extensive application in the mining industry due to their versatility, high penetration rates, and efficiency in soft to medium-hard rock formations. Surface mining operations rely primarily on rotary drills to make precise blast holes for efficient resource extraction. These machines reach deep beneath the earth's surface, creating channels for explosives that break rock formations and discover rich minerals. The efficiency of these first drilling operations has a direct impact on all future stages of the mining process. Rotary drills are particularly well-suited for blast hole drilling and exploration, rendering them ideal for large-scale surface mining operations. Leading global suppliers, including Sandvik, Epiroc, Atlas Copco, and Boart Longyear, offer rotary drill models engineered for both surface and underground mining applications.
The global mining drills and breakers is further divided by region, including North America (the US and Canada), Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, ASEAN Countries, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).
Asia-Asia-Pacific is Leading the Global Mining Drills and Breakers Market
Asia-Pacific is leading the global mining drills and breakers market, driven by the rapid industrialization and infrastructure development, government initiatives and investments in mining, presence of leading mining equipment manufacturers, rising demand for critical minerals, and growing adoption of advanced and automated drilling solutions. Nations such as China have mining industries that generate over $400 billion annually. In 2023, China had over 1,500 major mining operations, with approximately 75% of all major Chinese mining operations underground. There are more than 3025 coal mines in operation globally, of which 367 are in China. As of 2024, the five largest coal mines by production in China are Northern Shaanxi Mine, Heidaigou I Mine, Daliuta-Huojitu Mine, Bulianta Mine, and Huolinhe Coal Mine.
The Asia-Pacific region serves as a significant supplier of critical minerals essential for renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and battery storage solutions. For instance, Australia is a leading producer of lithium, a key component in electric vehicle batteries, while Indonesia and the Philippines provide substantial quantities of nickel and cobalt used in battery cathodes. As of 2023, global nickel production reached 3.6 million tonnes, with Indonesia and the Philippines supplying nearly 60% of the total global nickel. This growing demand for minerals drives mining companies to invest in advanced drilling and breaking equipment, such as electric and automated drills, to efficiently extract these resources while reducing environmental impact.
North America Continues to Be a Stronghold for the Mining Drills and Breakers Market Globally
North America holds a significant share mining drills and breakers market owing to the high demand for critical minerals, skilled labor force availability, expansion of underground and hard-rock mining projects, government support for domestic mineral supply chains, and mining infrastructure. The growth of the mining drills and breakers market in Canada is strongly supported by the availability of a skilled labor force capable of operating advanced mining equipment. Companies such as Vale Canada (Sudbury Mines) and Teck Resources have implemented remote-controlled drilling rigs, allowing operators trained in automation, robotics, and digital diagnostics to manage equipment safely from control rooms, reducing exposure to hazards and improving operational efficiency. This skilled workforce enables mines to invest confidently in high-end drills and hydraulic breakers.
Furthermore, institutions in Canada, such as the University of Toronto, Laurentian University, and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), offer specialized programs in mining engineering and technology, equipping students with the necessary expertise to operate and maintain advanced machinery. These training initiatives, combined with industry adoption of modern equipment, are driving demand and modernization in the mining drills and breakers market in North America.
The major companies operating in the global mining drills and breakers market include Boart Longyear Ltd., Caterpillar Inc., Epiroc AB, Komatsu America Corp., Sandvik AB, among others. Market players are leveraging partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisition strategies for business expansion and innovative product development to maintain their market positioning. Major new developments such as energy-efficient drilling technologies, automation, and predictive maintenance are increasingly having an impact on competitive tactics.
Recent Developments