Site access and accurate forecasting are some of the biggest challenges tire service
providers have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Kal Tire)
Learning to Roll With the Times
The mining tire market has faced significant change over the past 2-3 years. We ask suppliers and service companies how they’re keeping mines up and running.
By Carly Leonida, European Editor
“At the start of 2020, we honestly had no idea what was about to happen,” said Dan Allan, senior vice president, mining tire group at Kal Tire. “Mining was performing well, and there was a good balance between supply and demand. As the pandemic took hold, we saw many mines close temporarily or face extended quarantine periods. Tire usage continued as it had, but quarantines and closures eventually reached the manufacturers as well. Workforces around the world at different plants had challenges running consistently. Couple that with the already emerging logistics issues, and supply became a huge challenge.”
Many tire suppliers and service providers temporarily lost the ability to visit customers and even their own teams. This was challenging, as the accuracy of forecasting is dependent on an intimate knowledge of mines. “At the start of 2020, we lost over a quarter of our service invoicing due to shutdowns, quarantines and travel restrictions,” Allan said. “We often have team members make visits to our customers. These visits are usually frequent, but short — around 1-3 days. During one of these visits to Burkina Faso, the borders were closed and our team member, who had planned for a three-day mine visit, was isolated at a mine for over eight weeks as we awaited COVID-19 protocols to clear and borders to open up again.”
Allan credits flexibility and agility as key to overcoming many of the challenges associated with the pandemic. “In some cases, we had to be very flexible with our customers,” he said. “For example, there was a period of time when the price of oil went negative. Our customers across the oil sands were dealing with huge swings in commodity pricing, and it was not clear at that time what would happen. We had to adapt our teams to customer needs and work closely with them, even when the product they were extracting was worth nothing. “In other cases, we had crew changeovers that would normally be a rotation of seven days extended to 28 or even 60 days as the mine coped with the quarantine and infection processes. Through the whole process, our teams at the site were challenged on a personal and professional level and, in some cases, they were not able to spend time with their own families. We are truly appreciative and thankful for their dedication of the Kal Tire team members around the world.”
By fall 2020, tire demand seemed to be back on track and although there were some starts and stops, tire services became more normalized. Today, mines are more concerned about consistency of supply. While there are still lingering planning, forecasting and delivery issues from COVID, Allan said the freight and logistics situation is now the largest challenge. “Cost increases have been rampant across the industry, and the availability of carriers, containers or transportation options creates havoc with our supply lines,” he said. “We are working constantly with customers and suppliers to ensure we have the most reliable supply chain we can. For us, this has resulted in an increase in the level of inventory we carry, and an increase in the planning horizon for shipments.”
Kal Tire Advances Tools
and Technologies
Through this whole process, Kal Tire has
been evolving its Tire Operations Management
System (TOMS). TOMS is designed
to move team activities, planning and information
from a “reactive” state to a proactive
one. This allows customers and Kal
Tire’s own teams to plan ahead for things
like forecasting, equipment downtime
and planned maintenance events.
“We have been able to learn more about these capabilities and use them more effectively,” Allan added. “We are also using the aggregated learning from TOMS to leverage tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and help us predictively plan or recommend courses of action for customers, and provide feedback to manufacturers on what works, and what does not in specific applications.”
Today, the company is focusing on adding value through three main pillars. Disposal of end-of-life tires remains a huge challenge for miners, regardless of where they work. Allan explained: “While mining companies have done an extraordinary job of keeping pace, evolving and committing to environmental stewardship, end-of-life mining tires remain a huge challenge. Kal Tire has recently opened an off-the-road (OTR) tire recycling facility in Chile and continues to explore how we can bring this — or a similar solution — to other areas and jurisdictions.”
A perennial problem across mining has been finding and keeping skilled workforces. This challenge is not new, but it is becoming more pressing. To that end, Kal Tire is working with ideas and concepts around automation (robots, autonomous devices, AI) to aid with some of these tasks. “Although some of these technologies are still in their infancy, we know they will become commonplace in mining and service operations over time,” Allan said. “Our work with Pitcrew.ai, where we combine our TOMS systems with machine learning and optical recognition to perform in-the-field tire inspections is a great example of how digital technologies can be combined to add value. They also allow our team members to focus on the ‘expertise’ part of their role, rather than the physical or more routine parts.”
Kal Tire continues to invest in tools, processes and technologies to keep its teams safe, and make them more effi- cient and effective. “We have a dedicated Innovation Centre at Kal Tire, which focuses on our field team member challenges,” Allan said. “We look at our existing processes and tools, and try to ‘reimagine’ work or redesign tools and equipment to enhance the work.”
“Innovations like our Gravity Assist System, Rapid Deflator Units and our Wheel-Mounted Bead Breakers are all examples of this. Our latest tool — the Kal Clamp — will increase the level of safety in vertical mounting or unmounting of wheels by taking the worker out of the danger zone between the wheel and a piece of mobile equipment.”
Supporting Productivity
at Roy Hill
Kal Tire recently announced it won a
five-year contract to provide mining tire
management and maintenance services
at Roy Hill in Australia’s Pilbara region.
The company will be using TOMS to provide
Roy Hill’s fleet planning teams with
a 360° view of tire maintenance activity
with near real-time reporting and improve
mean-time-between-service (MTBS) with
automated, priority-based work orders.
TOMS will receive findings from autonomous
inspection stations that detect
signs of potential tire damage.
Kal Tire will also bring its Gravity Assist System, a Ram Mount Tool, which securely holds the bead in place, a Power Cart that allows technicians to stand at a safe distance to operate multiple hydraulic rams and bead breakers, and its Kal Clamp, which takes technicians out of harm’s way during the installation and removal of tire and wheel assemblies.
Roy Hill will also benefit from Kal Tire Australia’s repairs services and Ultra Repair technology, and the Maple Program, which allows sites to quantify and report on the proven emissions savings of Ultra Repairs. Over the next 12 months, Kal Tire will continue to invest in areas like automation, robotics, and the evolution and applicability of machine learning. There are very real advantages in leveraging these technologies, but the company is realistic that more learning is required before they can be implemented at scale.
Allan added: “We continue to work with our recycling activities, customers and tire manufacturers as we work toward a true circular economy. Our thermal conversion plant produces a version of recovered carbon ash (rCB). Finding the right characteristics for this rCB can enable it to be used in various other manufacturing processes e.g., as a replacement for carbon black, but there is still a large amount of research and collaboration that has to occur. Ultimately, we see a path to having this rCB be a meaningful contributor to the reduction of carbon emissions over time.”
Bridgestone Expands
MasterCore Production
While mining production indexes continue
to improve, the industry has not
reached pre-pandemic levels due to
headwinds in labor, parts, shipping and
equipment. However, the tide is turning
and, today, strong commodity demand is
impacting pricing. The industry will continue to ramp up production, which will
positively impact the tire market.
The MasterCore tire line is Bridgestone’s most advanced surface mining tire line, which it claims can deliver up to 5% greater durability, 10% faster truck operating speeds, or 15% greater payload capacity based on internal testing with select Bridgestone tires. Offered in various sizes and patterns to provide customized solutions based on surface and traction conditions, fleets receive greater utilization of their haulage assets to help improve mine performance and achieve a lower cost-per-ton, which is more important than ever in today’s environment.” Like many of its peers, Bridgestone is seeing more customer requests centered around integrated tire solutions across their operations.
Seibert explained: “Today, mining clients are continuing to request the latest solutions to support their growth and create value through data, technology and services. Bridgestone leverages smart technologies to monitor and track tire health and identify areas for improvement. For instance, iTrack II is a real-time tire monitoring and management platform for the OTR vehicle market. iTrack II features 24/7 monitoring of OTR tire pressure and temperature as well as vehicle speed and G-forces, in conjunction with expert support to enhance operational safety and haulage asset productivity.”
With one of the largest solutions networks in North America, Bridgestone offers comprehensive solutions such as on-site service and repairs, complemented by onsite field engineers and ongoing training opportunities to ensure customers’ mine sites are operating as efficiently as possible. “In addition to our integrated technologies and best-in-class service, Bridgestone offers intelligent products to equip our customers with the tools needed to maximize productivity and make informed, actionable decisions,” Seibert said.
The company is using real-time data and mine-specific algorithms to provide insights into operational efficiency, including tire choice, rotation and scheduled services, and on-site inventory quantities. “Our customers are tech savvy and are demanding innovative solutions,” Seibert said. “They want real-time updates on every aspect of their operation in the palm of their hands, and they also want safe and reliable equipment for the job site. Bridgestone is responding to this by investing time and resources to deliver the innovative solutions our customers want and need.
Michelin: The Right Tires
at the Right Time
According to Sarah Robinson, marketing
manager for mining in the U.S. and Canada,
at Michelin North America, the company
sees exceptionally strong demand from
the market today as activity continues to
expand toward pre-pandemic levels.
“At this point, the most lasting impacts
of the pandemic have been due to
logistics and labor force,” she said. “The
mining market had a healthy rebound in
2021 in both surface and underground,
with some headroom to return to pre-pandemic
levels. 2022 will see a return to
pre-COVID levels of demand.”
As logistics continue to challenge supply, Michelin is working closely with customers to ensure delivery that is optimized to best suit their needs. With shipping challenges continuing in 2022, the key focus for the company’s dealers and end users is going to be having the right tires at the right time. “It’s imperative to closely monitor inventories and accelerate demand forecasts more than ever before,” Robinson said. “Dealers and manufacturers will need to forecast earlier and more accurately than we have historically to compensate for the longer shipping times and lack of flexibility caused by the existing backlogs.”
Additionally, any opportunity to improve site productivity with tires on the ground is clearly an advantage in the current landscape. Where shipment and logistics are challenged, tire performance on-site can improve a site’s bottom line by increasing loads, speed, runtime, wear life or any combination of those.
New Tires, New Technologies
In 2021, Michelin North America introduced
two new tire lines for 57- and
63-in. rigid dump trucks with new compounding
to improve wear resistance and
MICHELIN Multilayer Technology that
provides optimized wear across front and
rear axles. The outer layer is optimized for
front axles for the first cycle of the tire’s
life, while the inner layer underneath is
optimized for rear axles for the second cycle.
Tires are designed to be rotated to the
rear axles to increase tire life.
Michelin also introduced the MICHELIN
XDR 250+ in May 2021. This tire features
improved wear resistance, optimized
wear and increased aggression resistance.
Available in a 50/80R57 size, the MICHELIN
XDR 250+ tire improves tire life by
8% for MB4 and MB compounds, with
no trade-off in ton-miles per hour (TMPH)
compared to the MICHELIN XDR 250 tire.
Improving upon the well-regarded XDR3, Michelin also launched the XDR3+ in 53/80R63, 59/80R63 and 50/90R57 in 2021. The XDR 3+ will offer at least 6% more tire life for the MB compound, and 4% more tire life for the MB4 than the XDR3 B & B4 compounds, respectively. Specifically targeting the needs of customers utilizing 57-in., the 40.00R57 XDR3+ offers increased load capacity of 67 tons, at a lower pressure than the 40.00R57 XDR3. Surface mines can also take advantage of MEMS 4, Michelin’s tire temperature and pressure management system (TPMS) solution for the management of mining vehicles and overall conditions on site. MEMS 4 harnesses digital insights to increase profits and reduce downtime by protecting people, tires and the equipment.
Productivity also being key underground, Michelin introduced the MICHELIN X UM Haul in 2021. Capable of 247 TMPH, the MICHELIN X UM Haul can carry heavier loads at lower pressures due to new construction and cables. With new rubber compounds that run cooler, users can now run up to 8.7 miles in an hour. Looking forward to the goal of recovering 100% of end-of-life tires, Michelin has conducted more than 50 lifecycle analyses in accordance with the ISO 14040 Approved Life Cycle Assessment and holds key partnerships to develop new end-of-life tire recycling solutions.
Robinson explained: “The responsibility to improve sustainability reaches far beyond the physical tire that we see and consume. Michelin addresses every stage of that impact, from design, to usage, to tire purpose after it is demounted from a wheel.” The Michelin Better Mining approach aims to enhance the industry’s environmental and social performance, with a focus to be Safe, Smart and Sustainable. “All development continues to support this approach, in order to maximize performance and value for the customer and minimize the impact the tire has on the environment,” Robinson added.”
RIMEX: Keeping Prices Low
and Productivity High
RIMEX ships rims, wheels and related
products to customers worldwide. Like it’s
counterparts in tires, the company saw
customer operations in many areas slow
during the pandemic due to workforce issues
and health restrictions imposed by
local authorities. The same labor issues
faced by RIMEX customers were also occurring
in the wheel supply chain, with
workers unable to attend their jobs due to
illness or care commitments, and the cost
of raw materials and freight also increased.
“We have been doing the best we can under challenging circumstances to minimize increases,” said Tyler James, RIMEX’s director for sales and marketing. At MINExpo 2021, RIMEX announced new products for its TyreSense TPMS, including the new TPMS HUB Controller, which offers the latest in real-time enterprise connectivity for improved tire and vehicle performance management. Also announced at MINExpo was TyreSense Asset Management, an enterprise software solution that provides the ability to manage and maintain the service life and performance of critical tire, wheel and rim, and TPMS assets.
“Going forward, our R&D efforts are focused on manufacturing innovations to integrate new technologies,” James said. “We’re also developing more efficient processes with reduced defect probability, waste reduction strategies and recycling of consumables, and inhouse adaptive manufacturing for jigs and fixtures.” Robertson said the outlook for 2022- 2023 is positive. “We’ve already seen a dramatic uptick in opportunities and sales beginning late last year and continuing into 2022,” he said. “We remain cautiously optimistic, knowing and seeing first-hand how quickly things can change in this market. The challenge will be navigating continued cost increases.”
Yokohama Looks to Optimize
Tire Life
“If there’s one thing the industry has
learned through the pandemic, it’s the
importance of making tires last, and
planning for what mines are going to
need,” said Bruce Besancon, vice president
for marketing and strategy at
Yokohama Off-Highway Tires America.
“That’s a lesson that will be helpful as
the world gets through the latest supply
chain disruptions.”
In addition to optimizing its factory operations to focus resources on the most-needed tires in the industry, Besancon said Yokohama Off-Highway Tires has become a lot more transparent with tire dealers since the pandemic. “We’ve been helping customers understand our business processes so they can plan more effectively to meet the needs of the mines, quarries and construction companies they serve,” he said. “We’re also in the process of introducing new tools, like the Yokohama OHT B2B portal. This allows our dealers and distributors to order products electronically, track orders, and plan their business decisions around up-to-the-minute data about the tires they’ve ordered.
“Our sales and field engineering staff are actively working with equipment companies, mines and quarries to help with optimum tire selection for particular situations. Being able to zero in on the tread pattern, tread depth, compound, and other features that deliver the best performance or longest service life in a particular role goes straight to an operation’s bottom line. More hours out of a tire always makes a big difference in profitability.” Yokohama offers both the Yokohama off-highway tire brand and the Galaxy brand of tires in mining. Together, those two brands provide plenty of choices that allow machinery owners get the performance they need to optimize their productivity and lower their total cost of ownership.
“We help dealers and their customers walk through choices of tread pattern and depth, compound, construction and price point to find the right tire for their machine, task and site,” Besancon explained. “In February, we launched the new Yokohama RT41 in the 875/65R29 size that provides an L-4 radial option for medium loaders. Many of the new, high-horsepower loaders are using 29-in. rims to effectively transfer horsepower to the ground without spinning or indexing the tire on the rim due to high torque. By developing our new 29-in. RT41 — which includes new bead technology as well — we are able to provide customers with a tire with the durability, stability and puncture resistance that they trust in their 25-in. RT41s.”
Don’t Forget the Basics
Yokohama is currently working on a new
technology to further improve bead design
and construction in its mining tires.
These improvements are engineered and
constructed to handle the massive weight
and torque of today’s equipment. They
provide a better ride and greater control
of loads, as well as adding to tire life.
“Constant advancements in compound
chemistry are important to us,” Besancon
said. “You can’t spot it from a distance
like you can a new tread pattern, but good
compounds can be revolutionary for tires,
especially those that operate in the harsh
conditions of mines and quarries.
“We are always working on new solutions, designs and dimensions. But it’s important to point out that there’s a lot of tried-and-true technology out there that keeps mining equipment running every day. Customers want to know they can trust their tires, understand which tires fit their operation, and know what to expect from them. That’s key to their planning, budgeting and their peace of mind.” This is where on-site mechanical teams and tire sales and service professionals can be a huge help. Besancon recommended that mines tap into that expertise to figure out which tires best fit their operation, work most effectively in the incumbent conditions, and which tires can help the mine achieve its financial objectives. Working hand-in-hand with people who know tires can significantly improve fleet efficiency, productivity and safety.
“We encourage mines to get back to basics when it comes to tires,” Besancon said. “Check the air and make sure tires are running at the right pressure. It’s not as flashy as the latest technology, but it’s the most effective way to help your tires last longer. Success is all about staying efficient and staying safe.” Yokohama has a global team of field engineers who work directly with equipment manufacturers and mining operations to develop tires for specific challenges they face. A good example of that is the Yokohama Y67 mining tire. The team worked hand-in-hand with customers in West Virginia to develop an IND-3 line of 15-in. high-load tires for underground coal mining. These can accommodate larger loads and higher torque while maintaining a profile that fits both the height and width restrictions of the mine.
No Time for Downtime
Every expert interviewed for this article
had a positive outlook for the mining tire
market (and the industry in general) over
the next two years.
“I think success for tire companies
and mining companies is going to require
a lot of thought and skill,” Besancon
said. “We’re going to see high demand
for metals and minerals as the industry
responds to two years of pent-up consumer
demand. We’ll see a strong market for
coal in many areas, especially as oil and
gas supplies remain constricted.
“That means extraction, processing and
movement have to go full-bore, so machinery
has to be rolling all the time. There’s no
time for downtime, and tires are going to
have to last longer and perform better than
ever, because replacements aren’t going to
be as easy to get as they have in the past.”
Labor is also going to continue to be expensive, and things that analysts typically overlook, like whether or not operators are comfortable on the tires they’re running, can make a surprising difference, not just in how productive a worker is, but how happy they are on the job. When labor’s tight, worker satisfaction is more important than ever, and tires can play a big role in that. Kal Tire’s Allan agreed: “Right now, all bets are off for the remainder of 2022 into 2023,” he said. “The events that are unfolding in Ukraine will have a big impact on global economies. While we all hope for a peaceful and quick resolution, we need to understand various potential scenarios and how they may impact our business, and our lives.
“This aside, the coming years should be good for the mining sector. Coming through COVID, there is huge pent-up demand for everything from batteries to cars to buildings to bridges and cities. Metals are an essential part of that development.” Indeed, projections for critical metals demand over the next decade are through the roof, particularly for copper, iron ore and nickel, which are needed to support the transition to sustainable energy sources and storage technologies. This, coupled with infrastructure investments over the next five years, such as the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Joe Biden in the U.S. in November 2021, with $500 billion allocated specifically to transportation and utilities, will translate to greater demand for mined materials that will impact mining tire sales positively.
It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to keep these operations rolling.