Underground Personnel Carrier Market Report 2026

The underground personnel carrier market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.5 billion in 2025 to $1.62 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of underground mining operations, increasing workforce transportation needs, rising safety compliance requirements, availability of diesel-powered underground carriers, growth of tunneling and underground construction activities.

The underground personnel carrier market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.2 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in electric underground fleets, rising focus on improving underground air quality, expansion of automation-ready carrier platforms, growing demand for low-noise transport solutions, increasing adoption of smart safety monitoring systems. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of electric underground personnel carriers, rising demand for enhanced operator safety systems, growing use of compact and high-capacity carrier designs, expansion of battery and hybrid carrier platforms, enhanced focus on low-emission underground transport.

The rising level of mining activities is expected to drive the growth of the underground personnel carrier market in the coming years. Mining activities involve the exploration and extraction of minerals and other geological materials from the earth. The increase in mining operations, driven by growing global demand for raw materials, is leading to more extraction activities to supply essential minerals and metals to various industries. Underground personnel carriers support mining operations by enabling the safe and efficient transportation of workers through underground tunnels, reducing transit time, enhancing operational productivity, and supporting uninterrupted mining activities. For example, in October 2024, Gov.UK reported that the UK produced 93,243 tonnes of coal in 2023, with 66,357 tonnes sourced from surface mines and 26,885 tonnes from underground mines. Consequently, the expansion of mining activities is fueling the growth of the underground personnel carrier market.

Key companies operating in the underground personnel carrier market are focusing on developing advanced solutions, such as heavy-duty multipurpose utility vehicles, to enhance underground mining efficiency and worker safety. A multipurpose utility vehicle refers to a versatile underground transport solution designed to carry personnel, equipment, and materials while ensuring durability and performance in challenging mining environments. For instance, in July 2025, JA Engineering, a South Africa-based mining equipment manufacturer, partnered with Ferrit s.r.o., a Czech Republic-based engineering company, to launch a heavy-duty multipurpose utility vehicle for underground mining operations. This innovation improves underground logistics by providing a robust vehicle capable of performing multiple functions, including personnel transport, material handling, and equipment support, within confined underground conditions. Built with advanced safety systems, ergonomic design, and customizable configurations, it enhances operational flexibility and reliability. The new vehicle strengthens JA Engineering and Ferrit’s product portfolio, helping mining companies improve productivity, ensure worker safety, and optimize underground transportation efficiency.

In July 2024, Komatsu America Corp., a US-based machinery company, acquired GHH Group GmbH for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Komatsu America Corp aims to expand its underground mining product portfolio, strengthen global production and service capabilities, and provide enhanced support and access to customers in key markets, thereby improving operational efficiency and delivering greater value across new and existing mining operations worldwide. GHH Group GmbH is a Germany-based company specializing in the design, manufacture, and service of underground mining, tunneling, and special civil engineering equipment, including loaders (LHDs).

Major companies operating in the underground personnel carrier market are Sandvik AB, Epiroc AB, Caterpillar Inc, Normet Group, GHH Fahrzeuge GmbH, Resemin S.A., MacLean Engineering & Marketing Co. Ltd, Getman Corporation, Aramine SAS, Schopf Maschinenbau GmbH, Marcotte Mining Machinery Services Inc, Kovatera Inc, BTI Inc (Breaker Technology Inc), Paus Maschinenfabrik GmbH, RDH Mining Equipment, Mine Master Ltd, Fambition Mining Technology Co. Ltd, Jinzhou Mining Machinery Group Co. Ltd, Qingdao Zongda Machinery Co. Ltd, Shandong Beijun Heavy Industry Co. Ltd, RockMech.

North America was the largest region in the underground personnel carrier market in 2025. The regions covered in the underground personnel carrier market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the underground personnel carrier market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The underground personnel carrier market consists of sales of specialized underground transport vehicles, underground shuttle carriers, underground crew transporters, underground emergency response vehicles, and underground multi-purpose carriers. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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