Bridgestone Corporation has announced a new mining solution service to estimate tyre durability using a proprietary algorithm originally developed by Bridgestone. The new offering was introduced in July 2023 to the Spence copper mine (Pampa Norte operation) in Chile, which is part of BHP. This service will be used to propose the optimal tyre maintenance timing and driving routes for the mine.
Based on Bridgestone Mastercore, Bridgestone supplies a range of mining solutions that help maximise the productivity and economic value of mining operations by combining real and digital capabilities. Now the company’s mining solution is evolving to a new stage, which is to strengthen tyre wear life estimation using the algorithm originally developed by combining Bridgestone’s extensive tyre knowledge, industry experience, and digital capability.
This solution service’s algorithm utilises fleet operating data securely provided by customers to help estimate tyre durability, prevent tyre damage caused by inappropriate tire maintenance, and propose the optimal tyre maintenance timing and driving routes. The data used in these evaluations includes vehicle tyre replacement history, as well as on tyre temperature and pressure, vehicle location, driving speed and other data collected from Bridgestone’s iTrack next-generation mining vehicle tyre monitoring system.
The service thereby contributes to customer value in the forms of lower tyre-related costs and reduced vehicle downtime. It also contributes to sustainability through improved resource productivity and longer usage of tyres.
The Spence mine now using Bridgestone’s new mining solution service produces copper, which is an essential ingredient for electrification and is used in electric vehicles, housing and the manufacturing of products including white goods. The world needs more copper supply to meet expected demand over coming decades. Operations at the copper mine are required to optimise productivity to ensure reliable efficient supply to customers around the world.
Under such circumstances, unplanned tyre repairs or changes caused by unpredicted tyre damage can diminish efficiency of fleet operation, increase cost, and potentially increase environmental impacts. Bridgestone’s algorithm provides notification of the optimal timings for maintenance by combining and analysing vehicle operating data from the mine with data from Bridgestone iTrack and Bridgestone’s tyre-related expertise to predict tyre abnormalities. Bridgestone is also providing tools that help achieve the best tyre pressure for various temperature ranges.
“At the Spence mine of BHP-Pampa Norte, we want to improve productivity and reduce waste while also improving the performance and extending the lifespan of our tyres. In this context, we have partnered with Bridgestone to improve monitoring and management in order to sequence optimum maintenance and prevent unscheduled stoppages. We have thus started a new project that is incorporating management tools that are available through Bridgestone’s new technology. We recognise Bridgestone’s willingness to take the challenge, do what needs to be done, and propose improvements,” said Carlos Ruz, Mine Production Manager, BHP.
“This mining solution service is a new challenge for Bridgestone to take on. It combines our ‘DanTotsu’ products with data analysis based on our tire expertise to deliver new value to customers. I am incredibly pleased that this solution, which was realised through co-creation with the Spence mine of BHP-Pampa Norte, is contributing to improvements in operations. Going forward, Bridgestone will continue working to optimise mining operations and improve resource productivity with unique solutions that are closely tailored to client needs,” said Nobuyuki Tamura. Vice President and Senior Officer, Global Mining, Industrial, Construction and Aviation, Bridgestone Corporation.
Through the provision of mining solutions that combine digital technologies and services, Bridgestone says it strives to achieve the corporate commitments of ‘Efficiency: Committed to maximising productivity through the advancement of mobility’ and ‘Ecology: Committed to advancing sustainable tyre technologies and solutions that preserve the environment for future generation’ described in the ‘Bridgestone E8 Commitment.’
