Copper Production Could Be Hurt By Tyre Shortage

(Akron/Tire Review) Mining Engineering magazine reported that one of the world’s largest mining companies said it may have to reduce copper production because of a shortage of large truck tyres. An executive of Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) said demand for truck tyres currently exceeds supply. Guillermo Vero, Codelco Norte’s vice president of mining and metallurgy, said the shortage involves tyres for 300-ton haul trucks.

Codelco Norte is Codelco’s largest division. The division’s 150 large trucks use between 100 and 150 tyres a month. They cost about $30,000 each. The company expects to spend about $109 million for tyres between 2005 and 2007. Vera said his company is doing several things to minimize wear and extend the lives of the tyres it has. Pit haul roads are being improved and the tyres currently in operation are being refurbished. Codelco also uses in-pit crushers to reduce haul distances. It also uses mobile equipment that requires smaller tyres.