MINING TYRES
Michelin’ s mining smarts filter down
During CONEXPO-CONAGG in March, IM also sat down with Scot Clark, Regional Marketing Manager, Mining at Michelin North America to talk about its new XHA3 tyre but also its wider position in the smaller mines and quarrying market
Q At CONEXPO you introduced the Michelin XHA3 tyre, described as the next evolution in loader and grader performance – can you give some insight into the design and performance enhancements that have been made over the XHA2?
The Michelin XHA3 tyre was developed as a direct evolution of the XHA2 tyre, building on a platform that has been widely trusted by customers in loader and grader applications. The intent was to retain the proven DNA of the XHA2 while responding to how construction equipment and operating demands have evolved in recent years. Compared with the XHA2 tyre, the XHA3 tyre has been engineered to support higher-performing machines with its versatile structure that incorporates the carcass of a loader tyre with reinforced plies in the summit, like those found in tyres designed exclusively for articulated dump trucks. This configuration is designed to deliver increased load capacity and enhanced TKPH capability and is complemented by a new tread design, developed to help meet the productivity and durability expectations of today’ s more demanding duty cycles. One interesting enhancement of the XHA3 tyre sidewall is the addition of‘ air pressure bars’ to help operators visually assess the tyre pressure depending on the number of bars contained within the footprint of the tyre. Although it may not correlate to a particular pressure, this feature is intended as an impromptu early indicator to help sites avoid tyre damage due to underinflation. Rather than a minor update, the XHA3 tyre represents one of Michelin’ s most significant innovations in this segment in more than a decade, replacing several previous product lines and consolidating them into a single, next generation solution. This simplifies decisionmaking for fleet managers with a tyre designed to enable their vehicles to carry heavier loads with greater confidence, unlock higher productivity, and help to extend tyre life to support lower total cost of ownership.
Q In general, are there tyre design elements that filter down from the mining sector into quarrying and construction having originally been introduced in mining? Could you give an example?
Yes, very much so. Mining environments tend to accelerate the development of robust tyre technologies because of the extreme operating conditions involved. Once those design concepts are proven in mining, they often translate naturally into quarrying and construction, where operators face similar challenges but at a different scale. Elements such as reinforced casing architecture, tread designs focused on damage resistance, and compounds developed to balance wear and heat management are all examples of technologies that originated in mining and later became relevant for quarry and construction applications. We also look at the operating conditions of the quarries and take those into account when looking at the design for the specific quarry sizes.
Q Equally, has the general attitude towards higher performance tyres changed in smaller mines / quarries – such as a willingness to accept a higher initial cost with the realisation that the TCO and tyre performance / longevity can be much better?
There has been a noticeable shift in mindset, particularly among operators who are managing tighter margins and looking for more predictability in their operating costs. Rather than focusing solely on the initial purchase price of a tyre, more quarry and smaller mining customers are considering total cost of ownership, and the impact of tyre performance can have on productivity, uptime and maintenance. This is the cornerstone of our‘ Michelin Better Mining’ approach, where we seek to partner with mines and quarries to help them achieve gains across their operations, and not focus solely on acquisition cost. As a result, there is an understanding that a higher performance tyre can help support longer service life, fewer interruptions and more stable operating conditions, which can help ultimately offset the initial investment.
Q Does this trend carry through to things like MEMS – is there a greater take up of this type of technology among quarries and smaller mining customers; plus a greater knowledge in how to use TPMS and other data?
Yes, and actually in many cases there is a better practical understanding of TPMS and related data tools among quarries and smaller mining operations than is often seen in large surface mining operations. Quarries and smaller mining operations tend to adopt technologies like TPMS, condition monitoring, and basic fleet analytics for several reasons. First of all, the immediate ROI – as a single tyre failure or overheating event can cause visible downtime and safety risk. TPMS are designed to deliver fast, tangible benefits. Then simpler decision-making structures. Quarries are often owner-operated or run by small companies. This allows for faster purchasing decisions; fewer IT, procurement, and corporate approval layers; and easier on-site trials and rapid scaling if value is proven. Finally, hands-on usage – as supervisors, service providers and operators often interact directly with the system. Alerts are acted on immediately, not filtered through multiple layers. An easy to use TPMS becomes part of pre-shift checks, maintenance planning, and internal mine safety discussions; with the data used operationally rather than sitting on dashboards reviewed weekly or monthly.
Q In addition, for mining customers you carry out detailed haul road and site reviews plus tyre management best practice training – do you also do this for smaller mines and the quarrying sector and is it becoming more common?
Yes, this type of support is increasingly relevant beyond large-scale mining operations. While the scale may differ, the fundamental principles of tire management, haul road condition and operating discipline remain the same for quarries and smaller mines. More operators are recognising that relatively small adjustments- such as improved haul road maintenance or clearer tyre management practices- can have a meaningful impact on tyre life and site productivity. As a result, engagement around site reviews and best practice guidance is becoming more common across a wider range of customers.
Q As more and more quarry operators start to consider things like wide body truck, hybrid and battery truck designs and autonomous trucks – will this require a change or pivoting in the tyre solutions you will need to offer and are you already planning for this?
The evolution of mobile equipment is already influencing how tyre solutions are developed. New vehicle architectures, alternative powertrains and autonomous operation all introduce different load profiles, duty cycles and performance expectations for tyres. As these technologies become more common, tyre solutions will need to support consistent performance, predictable behaviour and, increasingly, integration with digital monitoring systems. Planning for these changes is an ongoing process, with tyre development closely aligned to how quarrying and mining fleets are expected to evolve.
40 International Mining | JULY 2026