The leading Latin American and global designer and manufacturer of mining equipment solutions, Conymet Duratray, has chosen Victoria for its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and global HQ, in a big win for the State.

Conymet Duratray International will grow its current Victorian footprint by onshoring overseas manufacturing functions and establishing a new innovation division at a new end-to-end facility in Melbourne’s south-east suburb of Cranbourne.

Duratray has had a lot of success in Australia in recent years, such as its set of Suspended Dump Bodies (SDBs) on the 327 t class Cat 796AC truck fleet at the Bravus Resources (formerly Adani Mining) Carmichael coal operation.

The company intends to draw on Victoria’s highly skilled workforce, and the State’s innovation and R&D capabilities, to develop new capability in the areas of mining data analytics, Internet of Things, machine learning as well as advanced composite materials for its product line. Conymet Duratray International will also benefit from Victoria’s international logistics and distribution network to service its key export markets, the State’s growing and dynamic mining equipment, technology and services sector, as well as the direct flight connectivity between Melbourne-Santiago.

Commenting on the investment, Marcelo Medel, Managing Director, Conymet Duratray International, said: “We are very excited to embark on this new innovation journey in Victoria. The support we’ve had from the State Government on many initiatives over the years has been a key enabler for us to develop, expand and grow our business into Australia and the other 34 countries where we export our technology. We are committed to support Victoria to become the mining tech hub of Australia, given its strengths in the METS, advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.”

Founded in 1974, Conymet Duratray International specialises in the design and manufacturing of dump bodies, spare parts, steel and rubber components for haulage equipment for the mining industry. The company operates facilities in Australia, Chile, the United States, South Africa and Russia and currently exports to more than 35 countries in five continents. Its current Australian HQ is located in Victoria. Currently, there are over 2,000 Conymet Duratray International dump bodies operating globally, ranging in size from 36 to 360 t for all major truck manufacturers.