African mining companies are under growing pressure to do more with less—scale up production while simultaneously meeting tougher environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations that are reshaping how the industry operates. From cutting emissions and fuel consumption to managing waste more responsibly, the sector is under pressure to improve performance without compromising sustainability.
Against this backdrop, Michelin is turning attention to a critical but often overlooked part of mining operations: tyres. First Mining DRC – ZAMBIA catches up with the global tyre manufacturer at the Africa Mining Indaba 2026 where they showcased how advanced tyre technologies, lifecycle management and circular economy solutions can help mines boost productivity, enhance safety and progress toward zero-waste and lower-emission operations.
Amaury Vadon, Vice President Sales for Africa, India and the Middle East and Commercial Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Michelin, says the company’s approach to mining goes far beyond simply supplying tyres.
“What is important for us in mining is that we bring solutions, not just products, combining our expertise in tyres with services and end-to-end lifecycle management,” he explains.
Michelin, the world’s largest tyre manufacturer and one of the most powerful global brands, operates across Sub-Saharan Africa, from South Africa to Senegal, and from West Africa to East Africa, including Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. According to Vadon, mining represents a sector where technology, safety and sustainability intersect in very concrete ways.
Safety first, productivity next
For Michelin, safety is the starting point, with Vadon emphasising that it is paramount not only for the company’s own employees but also for its mining partners, ensuring tyres are as safe as possible, particularly during maintenance and operation.
Beyond safety, productivity is the next critical lever, as mining tyres directly influence how much material haul trucks can carry and how fast they can operate without increasing risk. Michelin’s tyre technologies are designed to support higher loads and, in some cases, higher operating speeds without compromising durability.
“The more technologically robust the tyre is, the more load the truck can carry safely, and with today’s technology, trucks can sometimes go faster with the same load, directly improving productivity,” Vadon notes.
Cutting fuel use and emissions
Fuel remains one of the largest cost drivers in mining, accounting for an estimated 30–40% of total operating costs. Vadon says the impact of tyres on fuel consumption is often underestimated.
“The rolling resistance of the tyre is key,” he explains. Lower rolling resistance means less heat generation and less energy loss as the tyre moves, translating directly into lower fuel consumption and reduced CO₂ emissions.
According to Vadon, field tests conducted in large mines in South Africa and other regions show that Michelin’s latest generation of mining tyres can deliver fuel savings of between 5% and 7% compared to previous generations and some premium competitors, under similar operating conditions.
“That said, every mine is unique, with different terrain, road conditions, maintenance practices and even driver behaviour, which is why we always test in real-life conditions and work mine by mine using their own data,” he said.
Closing the loop with end-of-life tyre recycling
One of the clearest links between Michelin’s mining strategy and ESG goals is its approach to end-of-life tyre (ELT) management. Historically, used mining tyres have often been stockpiled on mine sites, creating long-term environmental and regulatory risks.
“In many mines, used tyres are simply parked somewhere on the land. This is a pollution problem, and more and more legislation is coming that will forbid this practice,” Vadon says.
Michelin has developed a reverse logistics and recycling solution that takes used mining tyres back from sites and processes them through pyrolysis plants. The process breaks tyres down into oil, steel and carbon black, which can then be reused in other applications.
“The oil can be used by the pyrolysis plant or by mines for their own facilities, the carbon black can be repurposed in products like solid tyres or conveyor belts, and the steel is also recovered,” he said.
This ELT strategy supports a broader circular economy vision. Michelin has set a target for 30% of its tyres to be made from renewable materials by 2030—a goal it is already close to achieving—and aims for 100% renewable or recycled materials by 2050.
Partnership, not just products
While Michelin tyres may carry a higher upfront cost, Vadon is clear that the company sees this as an investment rather than an expense.
“Mining tyres are costly, and Michelin tyres will remain costly because of the level of technology and performance they bring,” he says. “Our responsibility is to make that value tangible and measurable for the mine.”
To do this, Michelin provides specialised technical support teams that work alongside mines and service providers, analysing performance data from tyres and trucks to ensure operations extract maximum value over the tyre’s lifespan.