MINING TYRES
syngas output , in order to find ways to optimise the process and further reduce emissions .” On plans for further expansion Farnham said there is always the possibility of this as it continues to have discussions with a number of interested customers . There are numerous ongoing discussions with interested customers and we anticipate the interest in our recycling facility ramping up significantly as we get closer to the deadline . Minera Los Pelambres have been very supportive and have initially provided more than 2,300 t of scrap tyres .
On success in actually selling the products of the pyrolysis products like steel , fuel oil and carbon black , he adds : “ We have had some success . For all the products there is a lengthy qualification phase to pass . Each customer has their own quality and performance tests that need to be completed . This is taking an extended amount of time and has involved first sending small samples out , then larger quantities , then truckload quantities . It is encouraging to see a good level of interest from some global companies looking for these recovered and more sustainable material options . An overarching theme from customers is to lower their carbon footprint by using recovered materials .”
Trentino , Italy-based Salvadori is to supply its OTR tyre downsizing technology for Michelin ’ s new mining tyre recycling plant in Chile . Michelin ’ s new-generation 30,000 t / y recycling plant built in Chile is in the final stage of construction with production set to begin in 2023 . The plant is in collaboration with Enviro , a Swedish company that has developed a patented technology to recover carbon black , oil , steel and gas from end-of life tires . The plant is in Chile ’ s Antofagasta region . Salvadori ’ s technology will be used specifically to reduce the large mining tyres of up to 63 in into pieces of predetermined dimensions which will then be further processed in the factory .
The Chilean mining majors are also stepping up . Codelco ’ s Andina mine already ran a pilot project that saw the removal of 58 mining truck tyres . Codelco says it is preparing to definitively incorporate this innovation that contributes to an increasingly sustainable mining industry . Mine
Kal Tire ' s Mining Tire Group established one of the industry ' s first dedicated mining tyre thermal conversion recycling facilities near Antofagasta , Chile , which has been reaching and exceeding its capacity
manager at Codelco Andina , Raúl Molina said in November 2021 that the mine completed the pilot test and is already including in its budget continuation of the initiative to reduce its tyre waste pile . The pilot plan saw the tyres pretreated to reduce their size for feeding into reactors for pyrolysis ie thermal conversion processes .
Elsewhere , Anglo American back in 2017 did its first mining tyre recycling test , in a plant that no longer exists in Concepción . Collahuasi also has an active tyre recycling project .
IM