Recycling mining tires: Kal Tire’s efforts to reduce environmental impact
Kal Tire is actively working towards a more sustainable mining industry by implementing strategies to extend tire life, repair and retread used tires, and recycle end-of-life (EOL) mining tires. With over 50 years of servicing the mining sector, the company recognizes the high costs of mining tires and aims to maximize their lifespan, reducing waste and supporting customers' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments.
Extending tire life through innovation
Kal Tire collaborates with major tire manufacturers and integrates advanced technology to enhance tire durability. The company’s KalPRO innovations, such as TireSight, utilize autonomous inspection stations to assess tire conditions while they are still in operation. This enables early detection of damage, helping prevent tire failures and increasing opportunities for repair, ultimately reducing waste and operational risks.
Mining tire recycling in Chile
Kal Tire operates a mining tire recycling facility in Chile, developed over eight years of research into sustainable disposal solutions. The plant employs pyrolysis-based thermal conversion technology, which fully consumes the tire, recovering steel, oil, and carbon black—all of which can be repurposed within the circular economy. Additionally, the process generates synthetic gas, which helps power the facility.
The plant, designed to be scalable and energy-efficient, could be replicated in mining regions worldwide. Kal Tire is exploring opportunities for similar facilities in Africa, where mining operations generate large volumes of EOL tires. However, due to cost considerations, a collaborative effort between mining companies, governments, and Kal Tire would be necessary to establish a recycling plant in the region.
With growing interest from mining companies in Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa, Kal Tire remains optimistic that new recycling initiatives will emerge in the coming years, addressing the environmental challenges posed by stockpiled mining tires globally.
To learn more about the topic, visit Kal Tire's website.
Weibold is an international consulting company specializing exclusively in end-of-life tire recycling and pyrolysis. Since 1999, we have helped companies grow and build profitable businesses.
