Alcoa takes next step in conveyor belt recycling
The first reel of used conveyor belts from Alcoa’s mining operations have arrived at Tyrecycle’s East Rockingham facility in WA.
The steel wire used in the belts will be reclaimed and the rubber will be turned into crumb, suitable for a range of uses including as an additive for use in road construction.
This follows the 2024 launch of an ongoing off-the-road (OTR) tyre recycling contract between Alcoa and Tyrecycle, and is part of Alcoa’s initiative to reduce, recycle and reuse waste from its mining and refining operations in WA.
According to Alcoa global program manager water and waste, Nicole King, about 32km of used conveyor belt will be delivered to the East Rockingham facility over the coming months.
“This new opportunity will allow us to recycle 80 reels of used conveyor belt in the initial program with Tyrecycle processing about 100t a week into crumb,” she said.
“That’s alongside more than 300t of our used OTR tyres a year.”
Tyrecycle trading, mining and strategic development head Ashley Battilana says the company focused on circular recycling solutions to allow used rubber to be converted into new, value-added products.
“Initially we’ll produce rubber crumb, like we do with tyres, that can be repurposed into a broad range of applications such as polymers for bitumen, granules used in sporting and playground surfaces, adhesives and moulded rubber products,” he said.
“Our vision is to continue driving innovation so we can integrate recycled material into new conveyor belt manufacturing in the future.”
Mr Battilana says that since its official opening in May last year, Tyrecycle’s East Rockingham facility has continued to grow and provide solutions to assist WA mining operators to decarbonise their supply chains through recycling tyres and other rubber products, which are a major waste stream across the many industry sectors.
“We’re proud to work with Alcoa, jointly supporting jobs in the region and continuing to reduce impacts on the environment,” he said.