Artificial intelligence is changing how mines monitor heavy-duty tyres, with new technology helping reduce downtime while improving safety and fleet performance.
The technology was showcased at Electra Mining Africa in Johannesburg, where Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group demonstrated AI-powered systems designed to detect tyre damage, overheating and problems with haul roads before they lead to major failures.
Its TireSight system uses AI to identify issues such as tread damage and tyre hot spots, while HaulSight uses LiDAR and camera sensors to monitor haul roads for hazards including uneven surfaces, spills and poorly maintained berms.
Kal Tire said 25 TireSight and HaulSight systems are already operating across Canada, Australia, Chile and Colombia. A new deployment is also expected in Zambia within weeks, expanding the technology’s African footprint.
The company is also using Argus, a portable wheel inspection system that uses electromagnetic testing to identify cracks and other defects before they cause costly failures.
Another innovation, Goliath-25, is designed to provide additional protection for technicians during tyre inflation.
Kal Tire says its AI systems are supported by a 24/7 monitoring team that reviews and validates alerts, ensuring potential safety risks are quickly escalated to mine operators.
Main Image: Mining Safety
