Robotic Process Automation is transforming the mining industry as demand for key critical minerals and rare earth elements is set to double by 2040. Tracing back to prehistoric times, mining’ s relationship with technology and automation has been a gradual process as companies rely on legacy systems. But with the increase in demand for minerals across the globe, businesses are looking to eliminate bottlenecks and streamline workflows for a rise in production. According to the SAP Mining AI Insights report, mining companies are adopting AI-enabled applications at rates 8 % higher than the cross-industry average.
Rise in mineral demand Global demand for critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earth elements is outpacing the current supply. According to the International Energy Agency, demand for key energy minerals has grown by almost 10 % each year on average in recent years. This rise can be attributed to a variety of factors, from electric vehicle production to society’ s increasing reliance on AI and semiconductors.
108 October 2026