Mining companies bury $200m in rubber tyres every year
Australian mines legally bury over 100,000 tonnes of used tyres yearly. The wasted natural rubber is worth up to $200 million.
For decades, mining companies have been legally allowed to bury, stockpile or send to landfill mining tyres. That's over 100,000 tonnes yearly.
By contrast, about 96 per cent of car tyres are recycled. Only 2 per cent of big mining tyres are recovered.
The Australian Tyre Recyclers Association says the wasted natural rubber could be worth up to $200 million a year. A global rubber shortage is expected to worsen.
Producers are forecasting a shortfall of 317,000 tonnes in 2026. A new recycling plant in Western Australia's Pilbara region was built with government help.
It can process 30,000 tonnes yearly. But it is currently handling only 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes.
- 100,000+ tonnes
- Annual burial
- $200 million
- Rubber value
- 2 per cent
- Mining tyre recycling rate
- 317,000 tonnes
- Forecast shortage 2026
Why it mattersTighter rules on mining tyre disposal could recover billions in waste. This would also ease global rubber shortages. These shortages affect vehicle production and costs.
AustraliaAustralia's mining sector controls a resource worth hundreds of millions annually. Stricter rules could create recycling jobs and make Australian vehicles cheaper as rubber supply improves.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
