About Us

Duraset is a well diversified supplier of engineered support solutions to the mining and geotechnical industries. With very well established research and development facilities, manufacturing plants and commercial services for each of our market focused divisions; Duraset has positioned itself over time as a well branded and leading supplier of safety critical products to the mining industry.

The origins of Duraset lie with Grinaker and LTA, two construction giants which were respectively established in 1935 and 1965 (although the predecessor companies to LTA go back as far as 1889). In 2000 Grinaker and LTA merged to form Grinaker-LTA. Duraset was originally a registered Grinaker-LTA company, resulting from the rationalization and restructuring of the previous Grinaker-Duraset Mining Products and LTA’s Steeledale SCS (Strata Control Systems), Steeledag and Amsteele Systems. Today both Duraset and Grinaker-LTA form part of the much larger Aveng Group.

In an effort to optimize the focus within The Aveng Group, it was decided in 2007 that Duraset will from then onwards be known as a business unit of Aveng (Africa) Limited. As a consequence of this, Duraset acquired its own identity and launched its new brand icon in May 2007. Strong synergies exist between the other sister business units, i.e. Steeledale, Lennings and Infraset, resulting in these companies becoming top-rated solutions providers to the mining and infrastructure industries.

Duraset successfully established Lesedi Railtrack (Pty) Ltd, a BEE enterprise development in 2002, which since its establishment, has been successful. It has grown significantly since then with considerable future growth potential. Lesedi is 100% black managed and 75% black owned, with Duraset still holding the remaining 25%.

While some of our products are for niche application, others are standard items throughout the South African mining industry and our bigger customers include almost all the majors operating in the country. We have a proud longstanding relationship with several high profile blue chip companies with whom we’ve enjoyed many decades of high level strategic co-operation on cost-effective mining solutions. These companies include the likes of AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo Platinum, Anglo Coal, Impala Platinum, Goldfields, Harmony, Sasol and BHP Billiton while the Geotechnical division services geotechnical contractors such as Esor, Franki Africa, Grinaker-LTA, Bombela and CMC di Ravenna.

Duraset’s exports account for 10% of turnover and include African countries such as Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia as well as European countries (in particular Germany, Sweden, Estonia and, more recently, Russia). Other export destinations are Canada, USA, Indian Ocean Islands and Australasia.

Our products are designed in-house by our multi-disciplinary team and manufactured in our own facilities. Roof bolts and other steel related products are produced in our Alrode factory with the geotechnical products being manufactured at our factory in Germiston. Our third plant which is devoted to our cementitious products (concrete sleepers and pack support) is based at Westonaria.

Duraset maintains a very strong research and development effort focused on improving mine safety and reducing total cost of ownership. This ongoing programme is strongly rooted in the practicalities of mining and is carried out in conjunction with mining groups ensuring that solutions address root causes which facilitate subsequent transfer of technology.

Duraset’s strong culture and values ensure a very stable workforce, consisting of well qualified mining, civil and mechanical engineers and commercial staff; creating a strong base for future growth.

Duraset continuously strives to establish steadfast partnerships.