The Role of Rubber in the UK Mining Industry

16th January, 2026

Historically known for being a world leader in mining, especially coal, during the Industrial Revolution, but now, the industry focuses on industrial, construction, specialist and critical materials. Mining now plays more of a supporting role in the UK economy rather than a dominant one like in previous years. Mining still provides jobs and essential materials for construction, agriculture and the future green economy.

Mining companies in the UK include Anglo-American, Glencore and Rio Tinto.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we work with clients to produce solution through bespoke rubber UK and global businesses can rely on, no matter the industries they operate in.

What is the mining industry?

A global operation, the mining industry extracts valuable minerals and geological materials, like metals, coal and gems, from the Earth to provide raw materials which are essential for construction, energy, technology and manufacturing. It is a foundational economic sector around the world and drives innovation in both extraction and sustainability efforts.

There are two main branches to the mining industry: overground mining and underground mining.

Overground mining is surface mining, the extraction of minerals from near the Earth’s surface, conducted by removing soil and rock. This type of mining is more common and is often both safer and cheaper than underground mining.

Underground mining focuses on extracting minerals like gold, copper, coal and diamonds from deep within the Earth, using shafts, tunnels and drifts. These raw materials are crucial for construction, technology and energy, but the extraction process comes with higher costs and risks.

Where is rubber used in the mining industry?

Rubber is an essential material used in both overground and underground mining operations. Mining operations are incredibly harsh, abrasive, noisy and dangerous, and with its unique properties – including flexibility, toughness, shock absorption and wear resistance – rubber can make mining safer, more efficient and more cost-effective.

Conveyor systems

In mining operations, conveyor belts are used to transport bulk materials like ore, coal, sand and overburden within a quarry and from extraction points – either under the Earth’s surface or in open pits – to processing facilities, storage or wider transportation hubs.

Rubber materials are used in these systems to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of materials, provide abrasion resistance against sharp rocks and reduce noise and dust during mining operations.

Wear liners

To extend the lifespan of essential and expensive mining machinery and to ensure its reliable operation in harsh mining conditions, wear liners are protective, replaceable linings, installed in equipment like chutes, crushes and truck beds. Designed to shield these applications from severe abrasion, impact and erosion, wear liners are made from rubber materials which absorb impacts from falling rock, reduce wear on metal parts, decrease noise levels and prevent blockages.

Hoses and seals

In overground and underground mining, hoses and rubber seals are critical components used for fluid and material transfer and to prevent leaks and contamination in heavy mining machinery. From using hoses for water management, hydraulic and pneumatic power and chemical and fuel transport to implementing rubber gaskets, seals and o-rings for contamination control, leak prevention and overall operational safety, rubber is used across both products.

In underground mining operations, seals must be anti-static and flame retardant to be used in high voltage electrical connectors and at Aquaseal Rubber, we can produce these to ensure your mining operations are safe.

Using rubber for hoses and seals in the mining industry allows the flexible movement of fluids, resists abrasion and pressure and tolerates harsh weather and chemicals.

Vibration and impact absorption

In overground and underground mining operations, there are several sources of vibration and impact, including heavy machinery, rock bursts, blasting and material handling. Without rubber, vibrations can travel through metal structures, leading to cracks, loosening bolts and component failure within mines. It can also have an impact on workers by causing fatigue.

Rubber is used as a vibration isolator to reduce noise, create less wear on machinery and ensure improved operator comfort and safety, whilst impact absorption can reduce stress on structures and prevent rebound and secondary impacts from falling rocks, cracks in metal surfaces and shock loads which damage machinery.

Safety and maintenance

Not only does rubber ensure the safe operation of crucial applications within the mining industry, like conveyor systems, wear liners, hoses and seals and vibration and impact absorption, but it also enhances the safety and maintenance of mines for workers.

Using bespoke rubber materials improves the safety of applications by reducing slips, trips and falls, controlling noise, improving vehicle and machine safety and supports maintenance by protecting equipment from wear and damage, preventing leaks and contamination and improving environmental and dust control.

What materials are used in the mining industry?

Numerous types of rubber materials are used in the mining industry to help ensure the safe operation and prolonged use of mines and relevant machinery. Each type of rubber material has different properties which make it suitable for use in the mining industry.

These types of rubber include:

• Natural rubber: used for its elasticity, impact and vibration absorption and abrasion resistance, natural rubber can be found in conveyor belts, wear liners, vibration mounts and vehicle tyres.
• Neoprene: with good weather, oil and flame resistance, as well as being durable and flexible, neoprene is used in rubber hoses and tubing, rubber seals and gaskets, protective coverings and vibration mounts.
• Nitrile: boasting excellent oil, fuel and grease resistance, nitrile is commonly used in hydraulic hoses, fuel seals, pump seals and rubber gaskets.
• EPDM: often found in outdoor applications due to its excellent weather, UV, ozone and water resistance, EPDM can also be used in weatherproof gaskets, conveyor belt skirting and dust barriers.
• Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR): a cost-effective rubber material and with a strong resistance to abrasion, SBR is used in mining conveyor belts, rubber linings, tyres and flooring.
• Viton and silicone: more specialised elastomers, like viton and silicone rubber, are used for high-performance seals and specialist gaskets in chemical environments because of their excellent resistance to temperatures and chemicals, as well as flexibility.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we are experts in designing, manufacturing and supplying bespoke rubber solutions to support projects in several industries, including mining.

What are the benefits of using rubber in the mining industry?

Rubber materials are responsible for ensuring the safety and reliability of UK mining operations, especially because these environments are extremely harsh. Workers are exposed to constant abrasion, impact, vibration, moisture and heavy loads, so it is crucial that they are protected by the correct rubber products.

These benefits include:

• Durability: rubber’s exceptional durability means abrasion from rock and ore is resisted, breakdowns are reduced and performance is maintained in harsh conditions.
• Flexibility: the flexibility of rubber allows mining systems to move safely without breaking, reduces vibration transfer and increases equipment lifespan to improve efficiency, safety and reliability.
• Corrosion and chemical resistance: mining environments commonly involve water, slurry, oils, fuels and chemicals which can have an impact on machinery if they are not properly protected with rubber materials designed to protect equipment, protect leaks and improve reliability.

How Aquaseal Rubber can support your mining industry rubber needs

At Aquaseal Rubber, we design and manufacture a range of rubber materials and rubber products to meet the bespoke requirements of our clients.

If you are looking for support with your mining operations in the UK or worldwide, our team are here to assist you. Contact us to discuss your project and see how we can work together.