The chances of a tyre blowout occurring with underground mechanised equipment used in the mining of platinum group metals in Africa can be “100% mitigated” using global tyre filling solutions provider Carlisle TyrFil’s flatproofing technology, reports Africa business manager Walter Roux.

He explains that a blowout underground can not only endanger the safety of equipment operators and miners, but also creates traffic issues in a mine, resulting in costly downtime.

“The TyrFil technology is the leading flatproofing solution on offer to mines for their off-the-road [OTR] mining vehicle’s tyres,” states Roux.

The TyrFil flatproofing solution is a polyurethane material that is pumped into an OTR vehicle’s tyres by means of a TyrFil processing pump, which replaces all the air in the tyres.

This compound cures into a flexible, durable elastomer core that acts as a shock absorber and completely eliminates flat tyres, states Roux.

Compared to other flatproofing products such as solid tyres, cores and liners, TyrFil is the “most cost-effective solution and provides the best overall performance,” he claims.

“TyrFil is also mostly recyclable and will not affect a mine’s green target when coming to recycling used tyres,” he says, explaining that when a OTR vehicle’s filled tyre needs replacing, the tyre is simply cut away from the TyrFil core which is then repurposed and pumped back into new tyres again.

Carlisle TyrFil’s recycling technology mixes virgin TyrFil product with either reclaimed tyres’ flatproofing, crumb rubber or even previously mixed materials, to be used again in tyres, which eliminates the environmental impact of sending used polyurethane and used rubber to a landfill.

As a “zero waste, zero emission” manufacturer, Roux says Carlisle TyrFil ensures that its products, and the way in which they are implemented, offers clients full circularity”.

Added Advantages

The PGM sector faces significant challenges owing to abrasive and rocky surfaces and poor underfoot conditions found in most domestic mines, says Roux, adding that the TyrFil solution not only eliminates flat tyres, but also lowers the G-force impact that can occur to the operator and equipment when operating equipment on such uneven terrain.

“Tyres filled with TyrFil flatproofing also maintain constant internal pressure which distributes loads evenly, improving traction and stability, thereby extending tyre life,” he says.

In addition, the technology increases the heat resistance of an OTR vehicle and eliminates rim slippage.

Carlisle TyrFil’s range of filling equipment includes a virgin tyre filling pump as well as three recycled-material pumps which are allocated depending on a client’s requirements.

For new OTRs, the Carlisle TyrFil Electric Pump – a virgin tyre pumping system – delivers virgin compound into a tyre.

This system’s computer-controlled process features enable faster and safer pumping while incorporating safety features such as a non-fused disconnection, high-pressure alarm, cavitation alarm and low-pressure alarm.

The patented AutoFil-GenII pump can mix virgin tyre fill with rubber crumb grind, polyurethane grind, or both rubber crumb and polyurethane grind combined, while delivering enhanced pumping and grinding speeds, thereby significantly reducing clean-up time.

“The AutoFil-GenII also offers an enhanced visual interface through a monitor with an im- proved human-machine interface touchscreen capability which facilitates operation and helps to streamline efficiencies for users,” he says.

According to Roux, Carlisle TyrFil’s AutoFil Recycler System has made it possible to divert more than 68-million kilogrammes of tyre fill from landfills a year.