Duratray secures $2 million contract

Mining truck tray specialist Duratray recently signed a major contract to supply a nickel mine in New Caledonia with its SBD trays

The Victorian Government has worked with Melbourne-based mining truck tray manufacturer Duratray International to secure a $2 million contract. The deal will see Duratray supply its gigantic Suspended Dump Body (SBD) truck trays to New Caledonia’s Glencore nickel mine.

The unique SBD trays are said to enhance efficiency, reduce maintenance, and raise productivity, and they can handle payloads from 40 to 360 tonnes.

The design essentially sees a rubber tray floor suspended above a steel body by elastomeric ropes. Duratray says its SBD trays also reduce ‘carry back’ and minimise noise.

The $5 billion Glencore nickel mine, located at Koniambo in New Caledonia’s north, is seeking to boost its productivity with the new trays – presently its trucks are failing to empty up to 25 per cent of their payload.

Duratray’s tray design was developed at a Melbourne quarry nearly four decades ago. Today the firm employs nearly 450 people, with its Melbourne headquarters and factory supported by another office in Perth and further operations in Chile, Canada, the USA, and South Africa.

Its products can be found in large-scale open-pit mines in 25 countries and are used by leading mining heavyweights including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Yancoal, Vale-CVRD, Barrick Gold, and Glencore-Xstrata, among others.

Duratray worked with the Victorian Government to help secure the Glencore deal. The Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, David Hodgett (pictured, left, with Duratray Business Development Manager, Steve Hall), said the government was committed to helping Australian manufacturers flourish.

“Supporting companies that are focused on innovation and selling products to new markets is a key part of the Napthine Government’s plan to secure and grow jobs in the manufacturing sector,” he said.

“This level of ingenuity, skill and expertise not only positions Duratray as an industry leader but also enhances Victoria’s reputation as a centre of excellence for innovation and advanced manufacturing.”

Hodgett said Duratray had been utilising the services of the Victorian Government Business Office in several countries in its bid to access new markets.

“Victoria is the hub of Australia’s manufacturing industry but to meet the challenge of competitive international markets, manufacturers must look to new export markets to remain competitive,” he said.

Duratray secures $2 million contract

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