The mining sector’s steady recovery from Covid-19 pandemic-related slowdowns, combined with rising commodity prices and accelerating investments in mineral processing and power supply infrastructure, is pushing sustained demand for industrial hardware, says Spain-based industrial valve manufacturer Valvulas Fevisa, adding that ball valves are “squarely in the spotlight”.

For 2026, the company says global deployment of ball valves for mining applications is showing signs of healthy growth, driven by new mine developments, expanding processing capacity and higher aftermarket activity for maintenance and spares.

Mining operations rely on reliable flow control across slurry lines, tailings systems, water-treatment plants, chemical dosing and high-pressure steam systems. In these applications, ball valves are “prized” for tight shutoff, low-pressure drop and simpler automation compared with some alternative valve types.

As mining projects scale and operators modernise plants to improve uptime and environmental compliance, the requirement for robust ball valves (including lined and trunnion designs) is growing, both for new installations and to replace worn equipment in harsh slurry or service conditions, says Valvulas Fevisa.



What to Expect in 2026

Valvulas Fevisa points out that industry reports and market trackers estimate the valves-in-mining segment will expand at a mid-single-digit compound annual growth rate through the latter half of the decade, supported by digitalisation of actuators and smart positioners, electrification of mine fleets that frees up capital expenditure for plant upgrades, and higher demand for corrosion-resistant and specialised ball valves.

Broader ball-valve market forecasts likewise show steady expansion, suggesting a stronger aftermarket for stock valves and suppliers that can offer rapid delivery and certified spares, highlights Valvulas Fevisa. These dynamics point to a favourable 2026 for manufacturers and ball valve suppliers who can combine product performance with fast logistics, the company adds.

The key demand drivers include mine expansions and greenfield projects, with new projects in Latin America, Africa and parts of Asia serving to increase orders for process valves and fittings.

Aftermarket and spares demand is also being driven by scheduled maintenance, unplanned repairs and reliability upgrades that are creating constant demand for stock valves. This, says Valvulas Fevisa, is important for end-users who need immediate replacement parts to avoid downtime.

Material and design specialisation also means lined ball valves, super-duplex materials and specialty coatings to handle abrasive slurries and corrosive service are becoming standard specified items.

As for modernising equipment, Valvulas Fevisa points out that automation and smart valve incorporation is meaning actuated ball valves integrated with Industrial Internet of Things sensors for condition monitoring and remote operation are preferred for modern plants.

Meanwhile, Valvulas Fevisa also points out in a regional note on why Dubai, and the broader Middle East and North Africa hub, matters to mining buyers by explaining that Dubai is an important procurement and logistics hub for mining projects across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

Valve stockists and valve manufacturers located in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates often hold extensive inventories of stock valves and can ship certified spares quickly to remote sites – a crucial advantage when mines face extended downtime for a single failed valve.