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THE LEADER VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 3
Reuse , repurpose , recycle
The mining industry is one of the biggest users globally of off-the-road ( OTR ), or earthmover , tyres . As a consumable product , these items have traditionally had a linear make-use-dispose trajectory , with few options for refuse or reuse . However , an enhanced focus on mining companies ’ environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) performance has shone a spotlight on waste management practices and the possibility of building greater circularity into business models .
This , combined with impending regulation in various countries is pushing organisations to take another look at tyre recycling and how they can embrace it . While there are no aggregate figures for the quantity of used OTR tyres generated globally , by examining the tonnages imported annually in key mining markets , it ’ s possible to get a feel for the level of risk and opportunity .
For example , Tyre Stewardship Australia states that the Australian mining industry generated 68,100 t of used tyres in 2019 . It ' s a similar story in other markets too . Chile hosts an estimated 500,000 t of used OTR tyres . Some mines have commercial lives spanning 40 + years , and this means there are potentially millions of tonnes of used tyres residing at mines across the globe .
Finding management solutions is difficult because few recycling facilities can handle mining tyres . Ultraclass products can weigh 5 t a piece and require specialist lifting equipment , transportation and shredders . Even in places with recycling mandates , the firms that are authorised to collect the tyres may be challenged because of the cost and logistics involved .
In most mines , OTR tyres are buried or used to create landforms upon closure . Some companies repurpose them in the meantime , for instance , as safety berms along haul roads . However , the problem remains that tyres don ’ t degrade - whether stored onsite or sent to landfill , those tyres will remain in the landscape indefinitely .
Shredding tyres and repurposing the rubber is better than burying them but , ultimately , it ’ s just delaying their journey to landfill . We should be seeking out the highest and best uses for these materials . By breaking tyres down into their fundamental elements , they can be used to create new tyres .
Some of the biggest risks and opportunities associated with storing used tyres are ESG related . Investors , stakeholders and landowners are increasingly interested in the way in which mining companies steward the land . In time , outdated practices , such as burying tyres , could pose a reputational risk for a sector whose environmental and social performance is under a microscope .
Ontario , Canada , was one of the first mining destinations to introduce tyre recycling legislation in 2016 and there are voluntary initiatives in other Canadian provinces . For example , Kal Tire and Liberty Tire offer shredding services for earthmover tyres across British Columbia , Alberta and Saskatchewan . South Africa also has a waste tyre recycling program , but manufacturers have indicated that the system has problems which have led to tyres being stockpiled .
Chile recently introduced legislation which specifies that starting in 2023 , 25 % of mining tyres must be recycled , increasing to 100 % by 2030 . To enable this , Kal Tire opened an OTR tyre recycling facility in Antofagasta in 2021 which can handle up to 20 t / d of tyres , including ultra-class products .
Regulations are a step in the right direction . However , they are only applicable from the date of introduction . While it ’ s unlikely that buried tyres would ever need to be dug up , as more legislation is introduced , mining companies will need to evolve their used tyre management practices to remain compliant .
The desire for change is real , but the question remains of how to pay for it ? The recycling of OTR tyres is costly and , if there is no incumbent regulation , mines can struggle to make thecase for capital allocation . One way to tackle this is through accessing mine remediation budgets . This allows mines to recycle tyres progressively rather than waiting until closure when there are thousands of products awaiting disposal .
Regulators are also starting to support this thinking . In April 2022 , the government of BC introduced an interim reclamation security policy for mining which requires bonding for specific liabilities and encourages progressive reclamation throughout the life-of-mine . By taking a proactive approach to OTR tyre recycling as part of this , miners have the chance to better their stance as environmental stewards and boost their standing with stakeholders .
In places which have recycling legislation for OTR tyres , some companies may also be able to use practices like retreading to garner carbon credits which can help to offset the cost of recycling . For example , KalTire ’ s Maple Program rewards mining companies for the oil and carbon emissions saved by using its Ultra Tread™ , retreading and Ultra Repair™ services .
Greater uptake of recycling can also drive social prosperity . Through committing to recycling and building partnerships with Indigenous or First Nations businesses to create sustainable supply chains , mining companies can boost the local skills base and leave a positive legacy for the communities in which they operate .
Ultimately , a diverse approach is required to boost uptake and accessibility in OTR tyre recycling , including government-led policy , standards , proactive investments from mining companies , technological and product innovation , and willingness from local businesses to build the capacity required to turn these ‘ waste ’ products into a source of value . To enable this transformation , mining companies must raise the visibility of this issue and help their teams to access remediation budgets . Companies don ’ t need to wait until year 25 to begin turning their waste tyres into value – it can be an economic reality today . For more information , visit https :// www . kaltiremining . com / en / sustainable-solution / recycling
Dan Allan Senior Vice President
Kal Tire Mining Tire Group
MARCH 2023 | International Mining 3