LoginSite MapWhat's NewContact Us Find A DealerSign Up Search HOME PRODUCTS INDUSTRY SERVICES SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY ABOUT Industry English Español Français Português Русский 中文 Events Viewpoint Magazine INDUSTRY Caterpillar is committed to promoting the mining industry and helping customers operate safely and sustainably—meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of tomorrow. CATERPILLAR IS PROUD TO HELP MEET THE DEMAND ”If it’s not grown, it’s mined.” Nearly everyone who works in the mining industry has heard this adage. Virtually everything we use in our everyday lives requires mining. Even most of the food we eat was grown with fertilizers that are made up of mined minerals. Today, mining is more important than at any other time in history. World development and increased urbanization are driving sustained demand for minerals, metals and coal. Energy demand is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades—placing even more emphasis on supply, security, cost and environmental impact issues. The world needs minerals Population growth in cities is expected to roughly double—to almost 70 percent of the global population—by 2050. As these new urban dwellers seek to improve their standards of living, countries must build infrastructure to serve the growing demand for reliable power, transportation, housing, clean water and sanitation. As these populations consume more resources, the demand for copper, coal, iron ore and other commodities will rise. The world needs energy A variety of new energy and fuel sources are under development—and in some cases being put to use in limited applications at sites around the world. Caterpillar supports these efforts and is conducting its own research and development into alternative fuels not only for energy but also to power Cat machines. To meet the energy needs of our growing world, one source continues to make compelling sense: Coal. Much of the world’s continued economic progress depends on maintaining coal as a secure and reliable source of energy. We simply don’t have the option of turning away from such an abundant energy resource. Instead, we must continue to find ways to process and use coal cleanly and efficiently. The economy needs mining Many countries rely on income from the mining industry to support their national economies. In Australia, for example, the mining industry accounts for 8 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product, which translates into billions of dollars each year. The mining industry is also a key employer in a number of countries. It’s an industry that hires people with varying skill sets and provides market-competitive wages and benefits. The industry continues to improve Companies are putting even greater focus on the impact their operations have on environments and people. Today’s miners are working diligently to reduce the impact of mining on the environment and the mining industry is making great strides environmentally and socially. Most major mining companies have executive-level leadership responsible for safety and sustainable development and are proactively looking for ways to address these topics at both the mine-site and corporate levels. Caterpillar, too, embraces the concept of mining efficiently while helping protect the health and safety of miners and mitigating the impact on the environment and the communities in mining areas. Mining companies need solutions As the demand for mined minerals grows, so does the need for a broad range of equipment and solutions to support the mining industry. Caterpillar is proud to serve as a one-stop shop for surface and underground mining equipment, and to support the efforts of our customers to be more sustainable. The More You Dig Without mining technology, we wouldn’t have vehicles for transport, our homes would collapse, and we would be left in the cold and in the dark. Many of us don’t realize how much of what we have comes from mining. The More You Dig is a public awareness project by the Northwest Mining Association, aimed at educating the public about how mining creates the lifestyle we enjoy daily. The More You Dig, it all starts with mining. » Learn More Uniting Two Industry Leaders In 2011, the Caterpillar acquisition of Bucyrus created mining equipment group with unmatched product range. » View Video Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future “Ground Rules" is a film that follows the development of new and operating mines as geologists, engineers and mine managers tackle complex problems. It can be viewed online or ordered on a free DVD. We are also pleased to offer 75 free, professionally-developed lesson plans, each one tied to information presented in the film. These lesson plans, aimed at students from ages 11 to 18. are designed to be compatible with mining and science education curricula around the world. » Learn More RELATED LINKS » Wherever There's Mining » About the 2011 Caterpillar Acquisition of Bucyrus Facebook YouTube TwitterData Privacy StatementPrinter Friendly Version© 2014 Caterpillar All Rights Reserved