Mining is big business in Canada. But it’s no longer just about pulling resources out of the ground. And key manufacturers of equipment are going one step further.
They are designing machines that are not only smarter and stronger, but more sustainable. These advancements keep miners digging deeper, traversing farther, and working safer.
In this post, we’ll showcase five mining equipment manufacturers Canada that are stretching boundaries. They also become something of a mining operation themselves. Let’s look at who is leading and how.
The Brave New World Of Mining
In the Canadian mining world, MacLean Engineering is known for its rugged workhorses. This firm is also headquartered in the province of Ontario and specializes in underground mining equipment.
Even their basics are anything but. MacLean was one of the first in the industry to provide battery-electric vehicles for underground service. This move helps decrease the fumes from the diesel buses and cuts the costs for ventilation.
The company is also focused on operator protection. Closed cabs with sophisticated monitoring is the standard for many machines. MacLean’s bolters and carriers are tough but simple to maintain.
Their gear operates in harshly frigid, wet, and dirty conditions. They test everything in real mines before they ship. That’s important for real-world reliability.
Sandvik Mining And Rock Technology Canada Sets The Bar High
Sandvik’s Canadian division continues to shift the goalposts. Their parent company is Swedish, but their Canadian roots run deep. Their underground loaders and trucks are the most advanced on the planet.
Sandvik has spent heavily on automation and digital mining tools. They have made their AutoMine® system available to let machines get through tunnels under their own guidance. That means fewer workers are needed for jobs underground.
Sandvik is also at the leading edge of battery-electric technology. Transcript Their loaders are quiet, they’re clean, they’re powerful. These things save on carbon and fuel.
The analysis of immediate data permits speedy decisions to be taken on the surface. Wear, damage or service need are all indicated via sensors to let users know.
RDH Scharf: Compact Power With A Clean Design
Located in Alban, Ontario, RDH Scharf creates powerful mining equipment with small environmental footprints. Tough and efficient, their electric and hybrid underground machines last. These machines are helping mines reduce emissions without sacrificing strength.
RDH Scharf caters for small, narrow-vein mining situations where space is at a premium. Bullying their way around in the tight spots Their small form factors shine in tight spots. Their electric loaders generate serious torque running through them, too.
RDH also provides customization. That, in turn, allows them to customize their machines for specific mine requirements. The company pays close attention to operators and site managers.”
This helps them iterate design with real feedback. RDH Scharf’s expanding product line now also includes utility vehicles, drills and specialized haulers.
Epiroc Canada: Smart Tools Down To The Depth
Epiroc Canada provides a complete suite of equipment for mining, but what sets them apart is their digital technology. Their machines are not only hardware but are filled with smart software. Epiroc provides battery-powered drills and loaders, but it also ties these to data systems.
Their Mobilaris platform locates both pieces of equipment and people in a mine in real time. This is good for both safety and efficiency. Teams will be able to plan routes, monitor resources and avoid delays.
Epiroc also provides autonomous drilling systems. With the press of a screen, drills can operate autonomously, including on night shifts. It also spends time looking at the health of the machines. Their telemetry tools track wear and can help plan maintenance in advance.
Goldcorp’s Borden Mine Inspires Equipment Innovation
Goldcorp (now part of Newmont) doesn’t manufacture gold, but it deserves credit for changing the game. Their Borden Mine in Ontario was the first all-electric underground mine in the country.
This raid inspired many Canadian haulage companies to simply evolve faster. The company worked with MacLean, Sandvik and Epiroc to make it a reality. Underground, they used only electric drills, loaders and trucks.
This helped reduce noise, remove diesel fumes from the environment and improve the air quality. It reduced ventilation requirements, too, and saved money.
Conclusion
Canada’s mining equipment sector is also evolving rapidly. Firms like MacLean, Sandvik, RDH Scharf and Epiroc spearhead the charge with electric, smart and autonomous machines.
Their contribution isn’t just production. It enhances worker safety, reduces emissions and keeps operations running smoothly. Mines like Borden are a demonstration of what is possible when innovating meets commitment.
These manufacturers are not only responding to change — they are making it. With global demand for cleaner and smarter mining on the rise, Canada’s mining innovators are already ahead.
