The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that mineral demand from electric vehicles (EVs) will grow 30 times between 2020 and 2040. Demand for lithium and nickel is expected to increase by 40 times, while diesel demand is falling faster than anticipated, reaching a 26-year low last quarter.

The remote locations of mines and the repetitive nature of the work also make automation a logical solution. Furthermore, the labor shortage, along with stricter safety regulations and the growing risk of costly lawsuits from workplace injuries, is driving the need for more automation in the mining sector.