PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1929393
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1929393
Rock drilling equipment refers to machinery and tools designed to create holes or tunnels in rock surfaces. These tools are equipped with high-strength drill bits and utilize mechanical force, pneumatic pressure, or hydraulic power to break through tough rock layers. They ensure precision and efficiency in rock penetration, adapting to various geological conditions.
The primary products in rock drilling equipment include rotary drilling tools, down-the-hole drilling tools, horizontal drilling tools, handheld drilling tools, and others. Rotary drilling tools are a key component, enhancing versatility, durability, stability, shock absorption, and overall productivity across different drilling applications. These tools are manufactured by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket providers and are used in industries such as mining, construction, quarrying, oil and gas, and more.
Tariffs are influencing the rock drilling equipment market by increasing costs of imported steel components, drill bits, hydraulic systems, electronic controls, and specialized manufacturing equipment. Mining and construction sectors in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported high-performance drilling tools, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on equipment exports. These tariffs are increasing capital equipment costs and delaying project timelines. However, they are also supporting domestic manufacturing, regional supplier development, and innovation in cost-efficient drilling technologies.
The rock drilling equipment market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides rock drilling equipment market statistics, including rock drilling equipment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a rock drilling equipment market share, detailed rock drilling equipment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the rock drilling equipment industry. This rock drilling equipment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The rock drilling equipment market size has grown marginally in recent years. It will grow from $2.29 billion in 2025 to $2.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of mining and quarrying activities, growth of infrastructure construction projects, availability of advanced drilling tools, increasing oil and gas exploration, rising demand for efficient rock excavation.
The rock drilling equipment market size is expected to see marginal growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.45 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in smart drilling technologies, rising focus on energy-efficient drilling systems, expansion of underground construction projects, growing adoption of automation in drilling operations, increasing demand for precision drilling solutions. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of automated drilling rigs, rising demand for high-performance drill bits, growing use of precision rock penetration technologies, expansion of electrified and hydraulic drilling systems, enhanced focus on equipment durability and safety.
The increasing number of mining projects is expected to drive the growth of the rock drilling equipment market in the coming years. Mining projects are planned operations focused on exploring, extracting, and processing minerals or other geological materials from the Earth's surface or subsurface. The rise in mining projects is driven by factors such as growing global demand for minerals and raw materials, fueled by industrialization, urbanization, renewable energy initiatives, and technological advancements. Rock drilling equipment plays a critical role in mining projects by efficiently creating precise holes for blasting, exploration, and tunneling, thereby improving productivity, ensuring safety, lowering operational costs, and enabling the extraction of valuable minerals with greater accuracy and reduced environmental impact. For example, in November 2025, the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a U.S.-based government energy statistics agency, reported that the number of producing U.S. coal mines in 2024 was 524, compared with 560 mines in 2023, reflecting continued high levels of active mining operations that sustain project activity. Thus, the growing number of mining projects is propelling the rock drilling equipment market.
Companies in the rock drilling equipment market are focusing on enhancing drilling efficiency through advancements in down-the-hole (DTH) drilling. DTH drilling is a method used in mining, construction, and water well industries where the drill bit is positioned at the bottom of the drill string, allowing drilling to take place directly at the hole's base. In January 2023, for example, Sweden-based Epiroc AB launched its new Epiroc DTH drill bits, designed to provide a longer service life and reduce operational interruptions for more continuous drilling. The new drill bits feature optimized flushing and handling of drill cuttings and an increased number of buttons that enhance overall energy during drilling. These improvements extend the drill bits' lifespan by up to 20% compared to previous models, resulting in more consistent drilling performance and higher productivity.
In May 2023, Argonaut Private Equity, a U.S.-based private equity firm, acquired Center Rock Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition was aimed at expanding Argonaut's portfolio in the rock drilling and mining sectors. By leveraging Center Rock Inc.'s expertise in innovative down-the-hole drilling technologies, Argonaut aims to improve operational efficiency, broaden its market reach, and position itself to capitalize on the rising demand for advanced mining equipment and solutions. Center Rock Inc. is a U.S.-based manufacturer of rock drilling equipment.
Major companies operating in the rock drilling equipment market are Caterpillar Inc., Sandvik AB, Epiroc AB, Xuzhou Construction Machinery (XCMG) Group, Weir Group, Atlas Copco AB, Boart Longyear Pty Ltd., Boart Longyear Group Ltd., Herrenknecht AG, Mincon Group plc, Shanghai Hardrock Drills Co. Ltd., Rockmore International Inc., Furukawa Rock Drill Co. Ltd., Numa Tool Company, Drill King International Lp, Gill Rock Drill Company, Mindrill System Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Holte Drilling Manufacturing Co., Rock-Tech International Inc., Sunward Equipment Group
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the rock drilling equipment market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the rock drilling equipment market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the rock drilling equipment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The rock drilling equipment market consists of sales of percussion drills, and top hammer drills. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Rock Drilling Equipment Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses rock drilling equipment market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for rock drilling equipment ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The rock drilling equipment market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.