MINING TYRES

Bridgestone begins US production of its largest MasterCore tyres at Aiken

The other market leader Bridgestone is

expanding its domestic production of MasterCore tyres in the US , which it describes as “ the pinnacle of our off-the-road ( OTR ) mining tyre technology ,” at its OTR plant in Aiken County ,

South Carolina which it says is a marriage of product and facility both designed with sustainability in mind .

Bridgestone MasterCore improves durability with an integrated manufacturing process , the innovative use of materials and proprietary design for new structure . The tyres utilise an industry-first Metal Surface Coating technology , a process that applies a bonding agent to the tyre ’ s steel cord , for improved adhesion to deliver ultra-high durability . In addition , MasterCore tyres utilise a proprietary process to apply an anti-rust steel coating developed and manufactured by Bridgestone for added moisture resistance and a new rubber compound that reduces crack propagation by 20 % for improved belt and casing life .

In April 2023 , Bridgestone added production of two MasterCore products ( 53 / 80R63 and 59 / 80R63 ) to its LEED- and ISCC-certified Aiken County Off Road plant in Graniteville , SC , in an effort to more efficiently meet US supply

demands . The tyre manufacturer states : “ Aiken is

Bridgestone ’ s only plant in North America that

produces giants , and it represents one of our most sustainable and environmentally conscious facilities .”

It adds that the Aiken plant reuses 92 % of its own construction debris and 100 % of discarded manufacturing materials ; leverages rail transportation as an alternative method to truck transport , reducing 600 tons of CO 2 in transportation to its Western Canada market in 2022 alone ; and harvests rainwater via geomembrane pond liners and pavers , creating retention ponds .

On the tyres themselves , the company states : “ Standing 13 f t tall and weighing upwards of 10,000 pounds each , Bridgestone MasterCore mining tyres represent the pinnacle of Bridgestone tyre technology and manufacturing expertise , and they are designed to enable a more efficient and sustainable mining operation . MasterCore tyres can deliver up to 5 % more durability , 10 % faster speed , or 15 % greater payloads , maximising a mine ’ s productivity .”

It says this introduction to Aiken ’ s product portfolio is the latest example of how Bridgestone is investing in its domestic manufacturing footprint to advance the company ’ s global competitiveness and commitment to sustainability . For more on Bridgestone ’ s MasterCore technology see the interview with Rob Seibert in this article

Freeport ’ s El Abra and Bridgestone begin recycling mining tyres at Kal Tire facility

Back to the ESG issue , in order to comply with the Extended Producer Responsibility ( REP ) law , Minera El Abra , a Chilean copper mine and subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan , along with the tyre manufacturer Bridgestone , are starting the

recycling process for tyres purchased by the mine over the past year , which will result in three types of by-products : steel , oil and carbon black

that are used in various production processes .

The conversion procedure will be carried out at the state of the art Kal Tire recycling plant in La Negra , Antofagasta , which is the most modern in the world , and the one with the greatest capacity in Chile to carry out the pyrolysis process . This method degrades the rubber through a thermal process , separating the components in different

stages .

This year Bridgestone will recycle 25 El Abra mining tyres , which correspond to 25 % of what was supplied in 2022 , thus meeting the goal imposed by the REP Law in its first year of validity . The quota of tyres to be recycled will increase each year as stipulated by the law .

El Abra says it is the first mining company in Chile to use the pyrolysis method to process tyres under the REP law which required recycling to begin from 2023 . “ This is a great opportunity to continue improving our social and

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