Mining Tyre Life Extension Helps Reduce Emissions And Waste

Extending the life of mining tyres can deliver significant environmental and financial benefits by reducing the need for new tyres, according to information presented at Electra Mining Africa 2026 in Johannesburg.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has verified the environmental benefits of tyre life-extension solutions, providing mining companies with measurable data that can support the reporting of Scope 3 emissions.

Scope 3 emissions, which cover emissions throughout a company’s wider value chain, account for a significant share of the overall carbon footprint of mining operations.

In 2025, 70 mining companies across six regions reported preventing approximately 32,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by avoiding the manufacture and transportation of replacement mining tyres before they were necessary.

The tyre life-extension programme has been helping mining operations quantify these environmental benefits since 2019, with measurement becoming increasingly important as mining companies seek to better understand and reduce supply-chain emissions.

Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group showcased its tyre management solutions at Electra Mining Africa 2026. Its Maple Program includes ultra-repair, retreading and ultra-tread solutions designed to extend the usable life of mining tyre casings.

The company said independent validation by SCS Global Services provides additional assurance around the carbon savings associated with extending tyre life.

Kal Tire VP Southern Africa John Martin said mining customers in Zambia are already using the Maple Program, with annual certification provided for the amount of CO2 emissions saved through the use of tyre repair technology.

The approach gives worn or damaged tyres a second life rather than immediately sending them for disposal and purchasing replacements. This can reduce waste while lowering the overall cost of tyre ownership, as repairing a tyre can cost considerably less than purchasing a new one.

Kal Tire Communications Director Tracy Cobb said the company’s focus is on helping mining operations get the maximum possible service life from their tyres while improving sustainability.

For mining companies, extending tyre life can therefore provide a combination of environmental and economic benefits, particularly as the industry faces increasing pressure to reduce waste, manage emissions and improve the sustainability of its supply chains.