✓ Selected · Open Aster 2026

VIZUtire was selected in Open AsterEscondida | BHP's open innovation program, in the Mine Operations segment

Open Aster is Escondida | BHP's open innovation program, run by Aster Aceleradora, connecting operational challenges with local, national, and international startups and suppliers offering high-impact technology solutions. Among 25 companies and startups selected to bring their technologies to the field, VIZUtire advanced in the Mine Operations segment with Alicanto, its structural monitoring center for OTR tires.

The challenge was specific: maximizing the service life of mining tires, which today cause operational losses of more than 148,000 haul truck hours per year. VIZUtire put forward its proposal to cut premature removals from structural damage by up to 80% — removals that today account for 30% of all removals at Minera Escondida.

Learn more See the program

What is
Open Aster?

Open Aster connects Escondida | BHP's operational challenges with local, national, and international startups and suppliers offering high-impact technology solutions, through a 4-stage selection process.

Stage 1
Application
Online form, open to local, national, and international startups and suppliers.
Stage 2
Shortlisting
Technical evaluation of the proposal. VIZUtire advanced with Alicanto in the Mine Operations segment.
Stage 3
Pilot proposal
Preparing the field pilot, with support from Aster Aceleradora.
Stage 4 · Result
Selected in Mine Operations
Final selection before Escondida | BHP's committee, with a 6-month pilot ahead.
Open innovation program for mining operational challenges
Open Aster connects Escondida | BHP's operational challenges with local, national, and international startups and suppliers, run by Aster Aceleradora in Antofagasta.
25
companies and startups selected
Mine
Mine Operations segment
6
months of field pilot
5
program categories

Alicanto: the technology
entering a pilot with Escondida | BHP

The same technology already operating at Minera Lomas Bayas now begins a formal pilot at Minera Escondida.

Non-destructive technology applied to critical tires
Ultrasound used to verify damage patterns only in specific zones and on tires flagged as critical.
Predictive mathematical model with 82.5% effectiveness in detecting structural damage
VIZUtire has developed a model that identifies which tire, which CAEX and which specific zone of the tire shows structural damage, anticipating the development of structural damage that could also lead to an uncontrolled energy release.
Zero uncontrolled energy release in OTR tires
The main goal: balancing people's safety with operational continuity.
Alicanto presentation: mathematical model, ultrasound and artificial intelligence, VIZUtire's three technologies
✓
Open Aster · Mine Operations

Why Alicanto advanced in Mine Operations

Open Aster's selection process evaluated three key aspects of VIZUtire's proposal.

01
Technical evaluation passed
Alicanto passed the application and technical evaluation stages, advancing to the pilot proposal.
02
Fit with the Mine Operations challenge
Non-destructive structural monitoring of OTR tires directly addresses the segment's operational challenges.
03
Field pilot
Alicanto begins a 6-month pilot supported by Aster Aceleradora, with a final evaluation before Escondida | BHP's committee.

Request more information about Alicanto

Show us your OTR fleet and we'll provide a structural risk analysis and the value you can capture by applying Alicanto.

More information Discover VIZUtire