ENVIRONMENT

Flaming nut

Pyrolisis turns the tyre into an unpredictable 'bomb'.

This article is 4 years old. Images might not display.

This comes after coal mine workers were trying to remove a wheel from a haul truck.

A tyre was still fitted to the wheel at 30psi pressure.

The were having trouble removing one of the nuts so they used an oxy flame to heat the wheel nuts to try to loosen them.

When the tyre fitters arrived and were advised what had happened, the workshop was evacuated.

The tyre was removed after the area was assessed and deemed safe.

The inspectorate said supervisors should ensure all oxy flame was kept away from any task involving or near wheels, rims or tyres.

"Pyrolisis inside a tyre can be caused by lightning strikes, overheating the tyre during operation and using an oxy flame on hubs, wheels and rims," it said.

"Pyrolisis turns the tyre into an unpredictable ‘bomb'."

The inspectorate said site senior executives should ensure coal mine workers were educated about the risks of working with tyres.

Expert-led Insights reports built on robust data, rigorous analysis and expert commentary covering mining Exploration, Future Fleets, Automation and Digitalisation, and ESG.

Expert-led Insights reports built on robust data, rigorous analysis and expert commentary covering mining Exploration, Future Fleets, Automation and Digitalisation, and ESG.

editions

ESG Index 2025: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Index provides an in-depth evaluation of the ESG performance of 60+ of the world’s largest mining companies. It assesses companies across 10 weighted indicators within 6 essential ESG pillars.

editions

Automation and Digitalisation Insights 2025

Discover how mining companies and investors are adopting, deploying and evaluating new technologies.

editions

Mining IQ Exploration Insights 2025

Gain exclusive insights into the world of exploration in a comprehensive review of the top trending technologies, intercepts, discoveries and more.

editions

Future Fleets Insights 2025

Mining IQ Future Fleets Insights 2025 looks at how companies are using alternative energy sources to cut greenhouse gas emmissions