Northern Minnesota Becomes Global Testing Ground for New Mining Wheel

Mining in Minnesota is a multi-billion-dollar industry that supports thousands of jobs throughout the state, so it should come as no surprise that companies on the Iron Range are always looking for a competitive edge.

Iron Range Mining Companies Are Betting on New Technology

One of the ways mining companies are gaining an advantage is by embracing emerging technology. Mesabi Metallics announced last year that it purchased a fleet of fully autonomous haul trucks, a move the company says increases health and safety on the jobsite by reducing the number of people working in hazardous areas.

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Now, another new technology is being tested this winter on the Iron Range, one that could not only reduce costs for mining companies, but also create less waste and cause less harm to the environment.

Airless Tires Built for the Cold, Tested in Minnesota

The new airless tires, known as Global Air Cylinder Wheels, are the invention of a Phoenix-based innovator who could not do sub-zero, extreme cold weather testing in his hometown. So the tires went to work in Northern Minnesota mines, in temperatures approaching -40°F.

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Unlike the traditional wheels you might see on a haul truck on the Iron Range, which can weigh several tons and carry serious risk due to the high-pressure air stored inside them, these new tires eliminate the stored energy risk associated with high-pressure tire failures. They also reduce worker exposure during routine maintenance procedures.

From the Iron Range to the World

The patented Air Suspension Wheel underwent cold weather testing that focused on suspension performance, tread compounds, and traction under the extreme conditions found in Northern Minnesota. According to the company, the wheel performed well enough that it is now ready to transition from research and development into commercial production and deployment around the world.

For a region that has long served as a proving ground for heavy industry, it is fitting that the Iron Range helped put this innovation through its paces. If these wheels make it to full-scale production, the mining operations that helped test them may be among the first to benefit.