Development of Autonomous Surface Blasthole Drills in the Global Mining Sector, 2026
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The popularity of autonomous blasthole drills is continuing to grow across surface mines, with miners taking advantage of improvements to productivity; reductions in accidents and operating costs; increased machine life and lower fuel consumption.
As of June 2026, GlobalData was tracking 426 autonomous blasthole drills operating on surface mines across the globe. This figure includes both those with autonomous technology installed (i.e. with command centre) as well as running autonomously.
The largest population of autonomous drills is in Australia with 166, followed by Chile (58), Brazil (43) and Canada (38).
Fortescue accounts for the largest number of autonomous drills, followed by BHP, Anglo American, Vale and Rio Tinto.
Epiroc is the leading OEM, with Caterpillar in second place. Together these two OEMs account for over 84% of the known brands tracked by GlobalData.
Scope
The report analyses the development of autonomous blasthole drills in the mining industry, and specifying the exact brands and models used across each mine. Future plans for further additions or introductions of autonomous drills are included as well as details of the benefits achieved from the use of autonomous drills by miners.
Key Highlights
The largest population of autonomous drills is in Australia with 166, followed by Chile (58), Brazil (43) and Canada (38).
Fortescue accounts for the largest number of autonomous drills, followed by BHP, Anglo American, Vale and Rio Tinto.
Epiroc is the leading OEM, with Caterpillar in second place. Together these two OEMs account for over 84% of the known brands tracked by GlobalData.
Reasons to Buy
Track the development of autonomous blasthole drills in the mining sector
Drill down to numbers of autonomous drills by brand and model at each mine
Compare the use of autonomous drills by mining company
Identify the benefits achieved from the use of autonomous drills by miners
View future plans for the introduction of autonomous drills by mine
Vale SA
Newmont Corp
Epiroc
Caterpillar
Sandvik
Flanders
Shanghai Boonray Intelligent Technology
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