Lindeque, G.C.2016-07-222016-07-222016-04Lindeque, GC 2016, 'A critical investigation into tyre life on an iron ore haulage system', Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 116, pp. 317-322.0038-223X (print)2225-6253 (online)10.17159/2411-9717/2016/v116n4a3http://hdl.handle.net/2263/56028This paper is based on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of the degree B Eng (Mining Engineering)A downward trend in tyre life on haul trucks at an open pit iron ore mine prompted an investigation into the current tyre management strategy in order to improve tyre life. ‘Best practice’ was compared to the current tyre management strategy at the mine to determine aspects that could be improved. Aspects that showed significant room for improvement included employee tyre awareness, tyre pressure maintenance, and road conditions. For each of these aspects a plausible alternative was suggested. A new tyre management strategy was formulated as a step-by-step guide on how to implement the proposed changes. Each step introduces new initiatives but at the same time builds on the previous step’s success. A sensitivity analyses was performed to determine the impact of the proposed changes, with the variables being the reduction in the percentage of premature tyre failure, and the reduction of the site wear rate. The ‘most likely’ scenario showed an increase in tyre life of 41% for the Komatsu 730 trucks and 105% for the CAT 777 trucks if the entire tyre management model is implemented. This would result in a possible annual saving related to tyre usage of R9.2 million.en© The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2016Tyre lifeTyre managementWear ratePremature tyre failureTyre awarenessEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-08SDG-08: Decent work and economic growthEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-12SDG-12: Responsible consumption and productionEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13SDG-13: Climate actionArticle