While low prices for the major commodities and metals have affected tyre makers on a global level and prompted production cutbacks for giant OTR mining tyres, the direction coal has taken is of greater significance here in the UK. British Geological Survey figures show output at British open cast coal mines fell almost 40 per cent between 2010 and 2014. This decline has understandably affected sales of tyres to this sector, yet the news is not all bad for OTR tyre manufacturers and suppliers – local demand for other off-road applications is in much better shape. Technical manager Jock Aitken recently went through Michelin’s products for these areas with us, and shared how to get the most from them.