MINING TYRES
– in others the mining operation may be switching away from a tyre management service provider to self servicing their tyre operations, in which case there will be a lot of key training and knowledge that has to be transferred over; and we would play a role in that in making sure that our engineers are heavily involved either directly on site or through the customer coming to visit us.”
Gates cited a real case example which saw a minesite that was running Bridgestone 57-in and 63-in tyres on seven mining trucks. As part of a Smart On-site trial, Bridgestone helped the customer increase safety, enhance cost and maintenance efficiency and increase overall productivity. Their SOP for level three alerts for high thermal limits on tyres was to isolate the truck and park it for up to 12 hours to allow the tyres to cool down.“ Our use of real time data allowed us to give them projections and countermeasures they could introduce in a two hour window that would help them not hit that thermal limit. It is a predictive alert algorithm that we put in along with our air pressure, maintenance and safety protocols. We also did some knowledge transfer with their dispatch team. The results was increased safety as operators were not exposed to truck tyres reaching high thermal limits. The productivity increase was 206 additional hours across the fleet. Plus we helped improve tyre performance with a compound change – from heat resistant to wear resistant – that changed the heat dissipation characteristics but because we are monitoring the heat proactively, we avoided the heat and got the benefit of better tread wear.”
Smart On-site is already being used by some major Bridgestone mining customers around the world. Mining is of course conservative but Bridgestone says focusing on the data, the amplifying trust aspect and holding itself directly accountable is really helping the solution make inroads in the market.
Michelin opens mining tyre recycling centre in Chile
Taking a further step towards its goal of circularity, Michelin proudly announced in May 2025 the inauguration ceremony of its first mining tyre recycling plant, MSMR La Negra, in the Antofagasta region. With this project, the company aims to contribute to the management and recycling of end-oflife tyres( ELTs) from the mining industry, promoting a more sustainable future.
Part of Michelin, the company MSMR( Michelin Specialty Materials Recovery) was founded in 2020 and the new facility represents the world’ s first recycling plant for giant mining tyres within the company. This plant specialises in cutting and shredding giant mining tyres to obtain rubber chips, which will later be transformed into micronised rubber powder( MRP), a renewable and recycled raw material used in the manufacture of new tires, as well as in other products.
Kamal Abi Farag, Director of MSMR in Chile, emphasises that for Michelin, the circular economy is a source of inspiration that challenges the company to create a model of inclusive and sustainable prosperity. In his words:“ Circularity is the way we can shape the future, and at Michelin we are committed to being part of the solution, not only in terms of technological innovation but also as a key player in the development of a recycling ecosystem in Chile and South America.”
The MSMR La Negra plant is located on an area of 7,725 m ² in the industrial zone of La Negra, in Antofagasta, and has the capacity to process 2,200 giant 63-in tyres per year. Currently, the plant employs 20 people directly and 100 indirectly.
MSMR La Negra operates under strict environmental standards, complying with the health resolutions and regulations of the Ministry of the Environment, in addition to aligning with the REP Law( Extended Producer Responsibility) in Chile. This allows customers to return the NFU( used tyres) to the manufacturer, ensuring that they are properly recycled to become new products again.
To ensure maximum efficiency in its processes, MSMR has established agreements with internationally renowned companies in the recycling industry. The plant is equipped with cutting machinery from the Italian company Salvadori, adapted and protected by Michelin’ s intellectual property, as well as crushing equipment from the Danish company ELDAN. These innovations ensure that giant mining tyres are processed efficiently and safely.
Otraco’ s specialised tools to the fore
Otraco International is an industry leading tyre management company focused on helping clients across the mining sector to move more with less by increasing productivity and reducing the total cost of tyre ownership.
A wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia, Otraco celebrated 50 years in 2022. With experienced teams delivering off-the-road( OTR) and light mobile equipment( LME) tyre management solutions, Otraco operates across Australia, New Zealand, Southern Africa, and Chile.
Expert teams are supported by accredited training programs, real-time
Some of the Michelin MSMR La Negra equipment at the new facility in Chile
technology-based solutions including OTRACOM, specialised tyre bay tooling and consumables supply, and consulting services. Committed to safety and with innovation at its core, all Otraco teams work within a Safety First, Always framework across operations worldwide.
A specific innovation example is Otraco’ s range of specialised tools for tyre bays, which are delivered as part of a clientfocused strategy dedicated to helping clients move more with less as safely as possible. Engineered to improve tyre bay operations in mining sites worldwide, specialised tools are expertly designed by Otraco’ s engineering team and exclusively available from Otraco. These tools are delivered as part of Otraco’ s Industrial Products range, which also includes tyre bay consumables.
The Industrial Products range it says is actively sought after by clients to increase productivity, reduce operational costs and improve safety. By working closely with onsite teams and gathering feedback from the frontline, Otraco’ s product design team gets first-hand knowledge about operational
Otraco’ s range of specialised tools for tyre bays are delivered as part of a client-focused strategy dedicated to helping clients move more with less
44 International Mining | JULY 2025