Strategic Intelligence: Cloud Computing in Mining (2025)

Strategic Intelligence: Cloud Computing in Mining (2025)

Summary

Mining companies are investing in Cloud computing technologies to enhance productivity, safety, cost efficiency, and mineral discovery. Cloud, as a theme, has matured significantly. Over the past 20 years, cloud computing has evolved to the point where leading mining companies in the cloud computing theme spend between 30% and 50% of their external information and communication technology (ICT) budget on cloud computing, according to GlobalData. With only the largest major mining companies spending such sums on cloud, most of the industry will have to invest more of their ICT spending on the technology to be able to implement new technologies and stay competitive.

Cloud encompasses the provision of IT infrastructure, operating systems, middleware, and applications hosted within a data center and accessed by the end-user via the internet.

Documents and data stored on the cloud can be accessed more easily than traditional server storage, improving productivity, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) monitoring, and safety

Cloud computing is used across the mining industry

Cloud encompasses the provision of IT infrastructure, operating systems, middleware, and applications hosted within a data center and accessed by the end-user via the internet. Documents and data stored on the cloud can be accessed more easily than traditional server storage, improving productivity, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) monitoring, and safety. According to GlobalData, the mining industry will spend $16.6 billion on cloud computing in 2028, having spent $7.2 billion in 2023.

Cloud, as a theme, has matured significantly. Over the past 20 years, cloud computing has evolved to the point where leading mining companies in the cloud computing theme spend between 30% and 50% of their external information and communication technology (ICT) budget on cloud computing, according to GlobalData. With only the largest major mining companies spending such sums on cloud, most of the industry will have to invest more of their ICT spending on the technology to be able to implement new technologies and stay competitive.

Cloud computing cuts costs and improves productivity

Cloud’s scalability allows mining companies to spend only as much as they need on data storage, rather than maintain expensive data servers. Cloud solutions often come with optimization and monitoring tools that help mining companies cut costs amidst rising industry disruption. Mining companies have reported saving 10-20% of their ICT costs after transitioning to cloud computing, and, according to some companies, infrastructure cost savings of up to and over 60%.

Cloud computing enables remote work and teleoperation, automating workflows in an industry plagued by skills and labor shortages. Asset tracking, digital routes for haulage and shipping, digital twins, and high performance computing are all dependent on cloud. Automation technologies like autonomous haulage systems (AHS), autonomous and teleoperated equipment, and automated processes in the mining value chain both alleviate skills shortages and improve productivity.

Mining companies spend large amounts on SaaS

Software as a service (SaaS) represents the primary expenditure for mining companies. SaaS in mining allows companies to access cloud-based applications, such as mine planning software, production management systems, and analytics tools, without the need for extensive IT infrastructure or maintenance.

Leading adopters and specialist vendors

The largest area of cloud spending for mining companies is software as a service (SaaS), which made up 39% of total cloud spending in 2023.

Leading SaaS adopters: Anglo American, Boliden, Fortescue, Ma’aden, Newmont.

Specialist SaaS vendors: ABB, Bentley Systems, Dasault Systèmes, Emerson, Epiroc, IMDEX, Liebherr, Minetell, Schneider Electric, Siemens.

Key Highlights

• Cloud computing has a litany of applications in the mining industry. Cloud computing enhances the efficiency of IT departments across various industries, improving data storage, data analytics, server maintenance, security, scalability, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. Cloud systems provide better visibility of assets in the mining value chain, leading to more efficient utilization of resources and more efficient consumption of goods like water or energy. Cloudbased tools can be used to analyze geological data, identify ore deposits, and optimize exploration efforts.
• Cloud technologies also enable several adjacent technologies. Cloud computing, when integrated with automation technologies, facilitates remote monitoring and operation of equipment from considerable distances in real-time, enabling remote working for an industry that desperately needs it. Connected sensors placed on equipment, vehicles, and personnel enhance communication, collaboration, and productivity by reducing downtime. These connected IoT sensors can be placed all over the mining value chain, enabling asset tracking and predictive maintenance.
• Cloud facilitates the implementation of digital twins by offering advanced data computing and storage solutions. This technology allows for the efficient storage and retrieval of large data volumes in the cloud, enhancing accessibility of the digital twin from any location. Additionally, it significantly reduces computation time for complex systems, allowing for efficient management of a digital twin’s extensive datasets.

• This report provides an overview of the Cloud computing theme and how it will impact the mining industry.
• The report predicts how the cloud computing in mining scene will evolve, including the key challenges it will solve.
• It includes selected case studies highlighting who is innovating in mining using cloud computing technologies
• The report also includes a comprehensive data analysis, including market size and growth forecasts for the cloud computing sector.

• GlobalData’s thematic research ecosystem is a single, integrated global research platform that provides an easy-to-use framework for tracking all themes across all companies in all sectors.
• This report is essential for senior executives at minining companies to understand the critical benefits from integrating Cloud computing technology into their operations. Mining companies who fail to implement cloud computing solutions will fall behind.
• In addition, the report identifies the leading cloud computing adopters in mining, as well as specialist tech vendors in this space.