MINING TYRES
Total tyre service
Paul Moore met with three leading mining tyre companies in Chile – Michelin on the global supplier side , plus Kal Tire and Bailac on the tyre management side , for some unique insights into one of the world ’ s largest OTR tyre markets
Chile is one of the world ’ s most demanding markets for mining technology – related both to the size of the mines – with many copper mines moving well over 200,000 t / d of ore and waste – and the fact that the conditions are harsh – extremely dry and often very high altitude .
These conditions also mean that mining tyres have to perform at the highest level possible . At a meeting in Santiago in June ,
IM Editorial Director met with Michelin ’ s Country Manager for Chile , Peru and Bolivia , Rafael Santo ; and Soledad Carrillo , Michelin TK & Mining Service Manager , to discuss a range of
Michelin ’ s Country Manager for Chile , Peru and Bolivia , Rafael Santo ( right ); and Soledad Carrillo , Michelin TK & Mining Service Manager ( left )
In 2025 , Michelin will celebrate 20 years of operating its TK model at AMSA Los Pelambres along with service provider Bailac - it recently received recognition from AMSA for exemplary operational performance
topics from mining tyres and AHS to its unique TK solution for mining and its approach to tyre recycling .
Kicking off with the general Michelin range for mining and how its solutions help mines maximise efficiency , Carrillo told IM : “ The latest MICHELIN tyres we offer currently in the market are the MICHELIN XDR3 + tyre , the MICHELIN XDR3 + Extra Load tyre , the MICHELIN XDR4 Extra Load tyre , the MICHELIN XDR4 SPEED MC tyre and the MICHELIN XDR4 SPEED + MD tyre , which are all designed to improve mining truck performances in targeted areas .”
She adds : “ The MICHELIN XDR3 + tyre has delivered an increase in tyre life through better resistance to wear , through innovative multilayered compounding in the tread , leading to a potential of 10 % improvement in wear versus the previous generation . The increase in tyre life results in increased machine availability leading to increased production . The MICHELIN XDR3 + Extra Load tyres are making it possible for miners to maximise their machine payloads with the option of increasing the target payloads , while staying within the machine NTE ( Never to Exceed ) limits . Increasing the machine productivity is a major tenant of the MICHELIN XDR3 + Extra Load tyre .”
Finally she highlighted the MICHELIN XDR4 SPEED range of tyres which are Michelin ’ s E4 tyres designed specifically for very high-speed long-haul mining applications . “ Mines can now increase productivity due to our highest TKPH in the market and the machines are not limited by TKPH , including increased tyre life over the
24 International Mining | JULY 2024