Mining Laboratory Automation Market Size & Outlook, 2023-2031

Market Overview

The global mining laboratory automation market was valued at USD 380.30 million in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 446.54 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 1.80% during the forecast period (2023-2031). 

By automating routine lab tasks and utilizing specialized workstations, software, and programming tools, laboratory automation enables associate scientists and technicians to focus their efforts and innovations on experimentation and creating useful follow-up projects rather than spending their days carrying out monotonous, repetitive tasks. Analytical instrument vendors provide complete analytical solutions instead of mere instruments. Another trend that providers have begun to address is hyphenation, which is combining one or more functions into a single container. Building two or more separate instruments behind a single case is frequently necessary for them to work together. Companies like NUCOMAT for quality control laboratories in the mining sector provide automation solutions for sample handling, preparation, and testing. By offering a comprehensive service from design ideas to turnkey solutions, the company assists its customers in improving laboratory safety and productivity.

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Market Dynamics

Global Mining Laboratory Automation Market Drivers

Shift from Traditional Practices to Automation

The typical mining laboratory demands manual execution of all procedures, including logging in samples and carrying out the sample preparation and analysis phases. The mining process becomes labor-intensive since the control samples must be ready fast, increasing the demand for physical labor. In contrast, mining samples are progressed through analytical processes in an automated mining laboratory without requiring physical work. Additionally, computerized systems handle samples in a sequential manner, which speeds up processing and improves the accuracy of the analysis. Further, automation systems use robots to carry out a repeatable labeling procedure, reducing the cost of sample processing and removing operator errors.

Automation offers accurate and trustworthy real-time data, enabling plant improvements to increase profitability successfully. Automation in laboratories is also creating new opportunities for optimizing mineral processes. The advantages of automation go beyond the quick turnaround time, according to Martin Matthysen, director of SPA (sample, preparation, and analysis), Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East at FLSmidth. Additionally, it allows labs to handle large amounts of data while producing results of the highest caliber. Automated laboratories drastically improve the precision and accuracy of analytical results while lowering threats to human health, safety, and the environment.

Global Mining Laboratory Automation Market Restraint

Numerous Obstacles to the Adoption of Technology in the Mining Sector

One of the most promising fields of mining research and development (R&D) is automation, which attempts to address various technical, production, and safety issues in the present and future. Despite all the advantages of industrialization, the mining industry faces numerous obstacles in implementing new technology. These obstacles include the double burden of youth, the requirement for a common interoperability plan, the need to find qualified individuals with the necessary knowledge, altered responsibilities, equal levels of safety, and operational and information technology integration. Qualified personnel is needed for the installation and maintenance of lab automation. Skilled technicians are also required to enable data analytics, and other cutting-edge automation approaches. But there need to be more workers, which is a big issue.

Given the difficulties in sharing data and communication standards between automated equipment from two manufacturers, the changing nature of laboratory work necessitates mechanical systems with more flexibility and interface capabilities. This makes lab automation difficult. Another issue facing lab automation suppliers is providing interoperable products with other laboratory systems.

Global Mining Laboratory Automation Market Opportunities

New and Innovative Solutions

With the development of tools and technology like robotics, the mining industry has recently undergone a massive technological revolution. Laboratory information management solutions that automate labs by integrating business systems like Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise Resource Planning are highly demanded by mining and metals laboratories (ERP). In addition, vendors are introducing new, cutting-edge solutions to the market that further enhance mining sector procedures. For instance, in April 2020, Bruker introduced its tabletop X-ray elemental analyzer, which can be incorporated into automated laboratory settings and speed up elemental analysis in mining applications. The tabletop EDXRF device is utilized for prepared or bulk solid and liquid samples for the elemental analysis of elements ranging from carbon to americium (C – Am). The concentrations of factors detected in the samples can vary from a few parts per million to 100%. 

The S2 PUMA Series 2, a benchtop energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer, is fitted with HighSense technology, the firm claims, allowing throughput gains of almost three times. Additionally, Intertek provides cutting-edge robotic and automated sampling systems for mineral laboratories that are tailored and created to fulfill the exacting needs of laboratories. These systems offer fast turnaround times for sample testing for certification tasks.

Regional Analysis

The global mining laboratory automation market is bifurcated into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.20% during the forecast period. China's mining industry is shrinking and experiencing slow growth due to environmental issues. The government regulates and restricts various natural resources to address ecological problems. Over the coming years, the coal mining sector in China is anticipated to increase slowly. Trading Economics reports that the country's mining industry expanded by 6.6% in July 2019, less than the prior year's figures. China, which has a significant mineral supply, dominates the world market for tungsten. The USGS claims that due to environmental concerns, the nation has regulated its tungsten industry by limiting the number of mining and export licenses, imposing caps on total production, and placing restrictions on mining and processing.

Europe is expected to boost at a CAGR of 1.85% during the forecast period. The European mining sector is essential to the prosperity of the continent's economy, according to the European Association of Mining Industries, Metal Ores and Industrial Minerals (Euromines). Over the past ten years, Europe has experienced a sharp increase in the consumption of metals, industrial minerals, and aggregates. Europe is currently nearly self-sufficient in producing various industrial minerals and aggregates. However, it imports a sizable amount of metals and metal ores on a net basis. According to STRADE (Strategic Dialogue on Sustainable Raw Materials for Europe), the EU is a small global producer of raw materials. 

North America is anticipated to lead the mining lab automation market over the forecast period. The United States and Canada represent a sizeable portion of the mining industry's shares. The US Geological Survey's statistics indicate that just 22.7% of the world's active mineral exploration locations are in Canada. The United States and Canada are home to 34.37% of all active mineral exploration sites on the planet. One of the world's leaders in the mining sector is the United States. The United States is now the world's top producer of essential rare-earth mineral concentrates after domestic output rose by 8,000 metric tonnes (nearly 44%) to 26,000 metric tonnes in 2019.

Latin American mining is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. It is a crucial market because of the region's geographic location and natural richness of resources. Regarding the distribution of active mineral exploration locations, the area is slightly behind Australia and Canada. The region's mining giants include Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Mexico. Brazil has one of the fastest-growing economies in the area and is a famous mining destination for foreign investors. The newest government agency is called the National Mining Agency (ANM). This is consistent with encouraging greater autonomy in the industry. Due to their mineral wealth, African nations draw mining investments from all over the world. Resources including diamonds, aluminum, asbestos, gold, coal, chromium, and copper are abundant in these nations, which is a major market-stimulating factor.

Segmental Analysis

The global mining laboratory automation market is segmented by product.

Based on product, the global mining laboratory automation market is bifurcated into robotics, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), container laboratories, automated analyzers, and sample preparation equipment.

The automated analyzers and sample preparation equipment segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 1.35% during the forecast period. As samples are manually transported from stage to stage and, typically, all samples are processed in batches, traditional analytical laboratories in the mining industry are labor-intensive and slow. Due to the lengthy turnaround times for sample data for laboratories processing high quantities of samples, automation has been implemented in mining laboratories. The essential tools in the mining laboratory are automated analyzers and sample preparation equipment because they enable quick and accurate sample processing, well-informed decision-making, and quick turnaround times to increase productivity. 

Robotics is becoming increasingly important in the mining industry, whether used in the field or the lab. They serve as valuable inspection tools, automate specific tasks like material handling, or carry out laborious tasks. Examples include purpose-built automated and robotic sample systems, ranging from single cells to fully integrated systems, and offering total end-to-end sampling to analysis solutions. Intertek offers purpose-built automated and robotic sample systems, from single cells to fully integrated systems, offering complete end-to-end sampling to analysis solutions. A comprehensive audit trail, exclusion of human error, rapid sample throughput, unparalleled consistency, reliability, synchronized process control, and fully programmable comminution parameters are just a few of the notable benefits of advanced robotics sample handling technology for mineral testing.

To increase lab productivity, professionals or scientists can handle samples, test results, and related data using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). It helps standardize tests, workflows, and procedures while offering precise process controls. In addition to improving efficiency and satisfying legal requirements, they ensure product standards, quality control, and environmental safety standards. Mining labs must perform various testing procedures on everything from rare piles of earth and base metals to gemstones. As a result, utilizing the provided capability, these solutions enable the configuration of the workflows, displays, and tests. Mining and metal processing labs also require a sophisticated laboratory information management system (LIMS) like CCLAS 6 to handle their operations.

With the necessary equipment to conduct tests and analyze the findings of mining research, a container laboratory can be either a mobile or stationary area. The portable container laboratories are appropriate for deployment in various circumstances due to their quick deployment and on-site testing in the mining industry. This can be utilized as an on-site mining laboratory or for pre-screening samples on exploratory projects, potentially saving millions in setup expenses. The current mining operations frequently deal with harsh surroundings and the requirement to move equipment. Mining companies use shippable containers laboratory on the mining site to save time and money because these circumstances wear down a gear and reduce efficiency. To satisfy consumers and spare them from initial tasks, industry vendors additionally offer designing, manufacturing, and installation services.

List of key players in Mining Laboratory Automation Market

1. FLSmidth AS
2. Bruker Corporation
3. Datech Scientific Ltd
4. Intertek Group PLC
5. Rocklabs (SCOTT Group)
6. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
7. Malvern Panalytical Ltd
8. Nucomat
9. HERZOG Automation Corp.

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Recent Developments

• June 2022- Laboratory instrument manufacturer KNAUER entered into a partnership with ModuVision.
• November 2022- MGI announced the European Launch of the New MGISP-Smart 8 Automated Sample Preparation System and Empowerment Program at MEDICA to Further Access to Genomics.