In the mining industry, a tyre is far more than simply the point of contact between a vehicle and the ground. It carries immense loads, has to withstand rough terrain and must perform reliably day after day in an environment where unplanned downtime has a direct impact on production and profitability.

It is within this demanding operating environment that Auto & Truck Tyres (ATT) has built its expertise over almost four decades.

ProAgri visited ATT Mining Solutions at Electra Mining Africa 2026 to learn more about the tyres, technical expertise and support services the company provides to the mining sector.

From a single tyre dealership to a national industry player

ATT’s story began in 1987 when Rob Beaumont established a single tyre dealership in Wadeville, Johannesburg. Since then, the company has grown alongside the changing needs of its customers, developing into a comprehensive supplier of tyres and related services across several sectors.

Today, ATT’s offering extends across passenger, commercial, agricultural, industrial, forklift, and port and mining applications. The company offers a multi-brand portfolio covering different price points and operational requirements, rather than attempting to serve every application with the same solution.

This approach is particularly important in mining, where selecting the wrong tyre can have costly consequences.

Tyres selected for mining

ATT Mining Solutions supplies tyres for both open-pit and underground mining, as well as for supporting vehicles and equipment such as light delivery vehicles, forklifts and other industrial applications.

In open-pit mines, large vehicles must move heavy loads at a high operating tempo, often across uneven terrain and in changing weather conditions. Underground, the challenges are different: confined spaces, demanding surfaces and the constant need to minimise downtime mean tyres must meet a variety of demanding requirements.

ATT works with brands including Triangle, Techking and Tianli to provide tyres for these diverse mining applications. According to the company, there is a strong focus on durability, service life, reliability and the total distance a tyre can deliver within its specific application.

The discussion is therefore not simply about the initial purchase price of a tyre, but about the value it can deliver throughout its useful life.

When a tyre gets a second life

One of ATT’s most impressive operations, however, is not centred on new tyres, but on giving existing tyres a new lease on life.

ATT established its first tyre retreading facility in 1990. Today, the company describes its facility as the largest of its kind in the world housed under one roof. The current plant can process more than 1 000 tyres per day and is ISO 9001:2015 certified.

The process involves far more than simply applying new rubber. Tyres are received and tagged using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, after which the casing is thoroughly inspected and prepared.

The old tread is removed, the casing is inspected for structural defects and any necessary repairs are carried out before a new tread is applied and vulcanised.

Customers can track their tyres throughout the process and can even receive information and images when a casing is rejected.

Retreading also offers both economic and environmental benefits. ATT says a retreaded tyre can significantly extend the useful life of a casing, reduce cost per kilometre and, at the same time, reduce the number of waste tyres sent to landfill.

According to the company, manufacturing a new tyre requires approximately 83 litres of oil, compared with around 26 litres for a retreaded tyre.

This means a tyre is no longer simply a consumable item that is discarded after a single service life, but rather an asset from which additional value can be extracted.

More than just rubber

ATT’s value ultimately extends beyond the size of its tyre inventory. The company supports its products with services such as tyre management and maintenance, rim engineering, powder coating, a Truck Drive-Thru Centre and a 24-hour national breakdown service.

For a mine or fleet operator, this means tyre selection, maintenance and lifecycle management can be approached as part of a broader operational solution.

ATT’s presence at Electra Mining Africa reinforced exactly this message: in an industry where every tonne, kilometre and hour counts, the right tyre should not simply carry the vehicle – it should contribute to the productivity of the entire operation.

Keep your operation rolling

Whether the requirement is for an open-pit mine, underground operation, commercial fleet or agricultural enterprise, ATT offers a comprehensive range of new and retreaded tyres, supported by technical expertise and nationwide service.

For more information about ATT’s tyres and solutions, contact the national service centre on 086-999-0107 or visit Auto & Truck Tyres. For emergencies, ATT’s 24-hour breakdown service is available on 087-059-1111.