Linatex® Premium Rubber, manufactured solely by Weir Minerals Malaysia, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary as an industry leader in defence against abrasion.

The distinctive red rubber, renowned for its resilience, strength, resistance to wear and abrasion, offers exceptional performance in the harshest of mining and aggregate environments, according to Weir Minerals.

It has been field-tested in mine sites for a century, starting with the tin industry in Malaysia in the 1920s and continuing to the present day.

“Found in all the leading operations globally, it is the mining industry’s preferred first line of defence and protection against abrasion for expensive capital equipment – delivering best-in-class wear life and overall total cost of ownership,” the company says.

Brandon Greer – Processing Maintenance Supervisor, Pinto Valley Mine, Capstone, said: “I would definitely recommend the Linatex rubbers to really any mine. The life that we’ve seen is just phenomenal in comparison to what we’ve had in the past.”

Akhbayar Enkhsaikhan – Concentrator Maintenance Manager, Oyu Tolgoi Mine, added: “It significantly reduces material costs associated with changing out too frequently. On the cost side, most importantly, it enabled us to produce more copper.”

Dedicated to meeting customer demand and providing the most advanced solutions, Weir Minerals says it is continually working to modernise the manufacturing process for Linatex. The rubber manufacturing facility, located in Batu Caves, Malaysia, has recently been expanded to include a new Continuous Rubber Process (CRP2) facility, a new Banbury mixer to manufacture masticated dry rubber and additional rubber presses to support the growth within this area of the business.

The proprietary formula of Linatex Premium Rubber includes a unique liquid compounding phase which maintains the natural state and characteristics of the 95% natural rubber product, the company explains. The formula has remained unchanged since it was developed and patented in 1923 by Bernard Wilkinson. To ensure a consistent high-quality product, Linatex Premium Rubber routinely undergoes rigorous testing throughout the entire manufacturing and delivery process.

“Linatex Premium Rubber is the most sustainably manufactured rubber on the market,” Weir Minerals says. “The natural and renewable resource (pure latex is 100% sap of the rubber tree) is complemented by sustainable processes, minimal waste and a renewable solar energy system at the site.”