Caterpillar Acquires Skycatch: Revolutionizing Mining with AI-Driven Spatial Data and Enhanced Safety
July 7, 2026
RPMGlobal, a long-standing provider of mine planning and simulation tools, will expand its offering with Skycatch data to optimize pit design and production across 125 countries.
Denise Johnson, Caterpillar Resource Industries group president, said near-real-time, high-resolution spatial data will optimize performance across mining operations.
Skycatch, RPMGlobal, and Cat MineStar aim to deliver integrated, near-real-time data to keep mine designs, schedules, and operational scenarios current from first ore to last.
Caterpillar has acquired Skycatch to bolster its digital mining platform with near-real-time, high-precision spatial data and AI analytics, signaling a move from equipment manufacturing into mining technology solutions.
The fresher spatial data will inform autonomous and human-driven fleets, guiding route planning, traffic patterns, and work area updates to reduce uncertainty and boost safety and productivity.
Market reaction saw Caterpillar stock trading around $950 in pre-market trading, down about 2% on the NYSE.
RPMGlobal brings more than 30 software applications for long-term planning, scheduling, asset performance modeling, and equipment simulation, which will be enhanced by Skycatch data.
Before the acquisition, RPMGlobal solutions were already used globally for pit design, production scheduling, maintenance management, and modeling, with Skycatch data helping keep these plans up to date throughout operations.
The deal enables Skycatch data to feed Cat MineStar automation and RPMGlobal software, improving monitoring of stockpiles, material movement, pit and haul road conditions, and alignment with planned operations.
The Skycatch integration will enable measuring stockpiles, tracking material movement, monitoring pit and haul road conditions, comparing progress to plans, and updating digital mine models faster than traditional surveys.
Cat’s broader strategy includes the Cat AI Assistant powered by Nvidia’s edge AI platform and ongoing RPMGlobal integration, reinforcing Caterpillar’s push toward mining-technology leadership alongside its heavy equipment.
Skycatch CEO Christian Sanz and Caterpillar executives emphasize that near-real-time, high-resolution spatial data will improve safety, productivity, and predictability across both staffed and autonomous fleets.
Summary based on 3 sources
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RTTNews • Jul 7, 2026
Caterpillar Buys Skycatch To Improve Mining Solutions With AI-Powered Spatial Data
Metal Tech News • Jul 7, 2026
Cat adds Skycatch to mining tech stack
Metal Tech News • Jul 7, 2026
Caterpillar adds Skycatch to mining tech stack