Mine Resources, presenting with Tyromer Inc., won first place at the 2026 Mining Cleantech Challenge organized by Colorado Cleantech. The event brought innovators and mining industry leaders together at the Colorado Governor’s Residence to showcase technologies addressing sustainability, efficiency and resource recovery challenges in mining. According to Colorado Cleantech, Mine Resources and Tyromer were recognized for advancing circular solutions for mining and equipment tires. Mine Resources is currently recycling tires into agricultural products and is exploring Tyromer’s TDP technology as a pathway to expand circular rubber recovery. The award highlights growing interest in tire recycling, devulcanization and circular rubber applications for off-the-road tires used in mining and heavy equipment, a sector where end-of-life tire management remains one of the most difficult recycling challenges.

Challenge connects mining companies with cleantech innovators

The Mining Cleantech Challenge is a product-innovation showcase that connects technology providers with mining companies, investors and suppliers. Selected finalists are chosen through a competitive vetting process and receive an opportunity to pitch their technologies live, gain executive feedback and explore partnership and commercialization pathways.

The 2026 event took place on August 27 and focused on technologies that can improve mining sustainability, efficiency and profitability. Colorado Cleantech said the program is open to companies from any geography or stage, provided their technology can address mining or mineral processing challenges.

Mine Resources and Tyromer recognized for tire circularity

Colorado Cleantech announced Mine Resources, presenting with Tyromer, as the first-place winner. The LinkedIn announcement said the companies are advancing circular solutions for mining and equipment tires, with Mine Resources recycling tires into agricultural products and evaluating Tyromer’s TDP technology for broader circular rubber recovery.

Tyromer’s technology is associated with devulcanized rubber pathways that can help recover value from end-of-life rubber. For mining tires and heavy equipment tires, such approaches may support higher-value recycling by keeping rubber materials in productive use rather than relying only on disposal or lower-value recovery routes.

Mining tires remain difficult recycling stream

Mining and equipment tires are challenging to recycle because of their size, weight, construction and remote operating locations. Many mining regions continue to face difficulties in developing collection, transport and processing systems for off-the-road tires.

Recognition of tire circularity at the Mining Cleantech Challenge indicates that mining companies are looking for practical solutions to reduce waste, recover materials and improve sustainability performance. Technologies that convert end-of-life mining tires into usable rubber products could support both environmental and economic objectives.

Travertine and Still Bright also win awards

Travertine Technologies placed second in the 2026 Mining Cleantech Challenge. Colorado Cleantech said the company is developing a circular electrochemical process that recycles sulfur waste into sulfuric acid for critical mineral production.

Still Bright placed third with RACER, an electrochemical process designed to convert copper sulfide feedstocks, including chalcopyrite, into on-site copper cathode while significantly reducing water and energy use.

Event targets broad range of mining technologies

The Mining Cleantech Challenge focuses on a wide range of technologies relevant to mining and mineral processing. Areas of interest include advanced materials and chemicals, biological solutions, carbon capture, critical minerals, electrification, energy efficiency, environmental control, remote operations, automation, water, tailings management and circular economy solutions.

The inclusion of circular rubber recovery among the winning technologies shows how tire recycling can connect with mining sustainability strategies. As mining operators look to reduce environmental liabilities, end-of-life tire management may become a stronger focus for cleantech innovation and industry partnerships.

Challenge promotes partnerships and commercialization

Colorado Cleantech said the Mining Cleantech Challenge is designed not only to recognize innovative technologies but also to connect entrepreneurs directly with the mining industry. The goal is to create opportunities for partnerships, pilots and commercialization.

For Mine Resources and Tyromer, the award may support wider visibility for circular solutions targeting mining and equipment tires. For the tire recycling sector, it adds another example of how devulcanization, recycled rubber products and circular economy technologies are being considered in heavy industrial markets.

Article source: Colorado Cleantech.