Mine giant moves manufacturing to Victoria


Joseph Brookes
Senior Reporter

Global mining firm Conymet Duratray International will set up a new manufacturing facility and global headquarters in Victoria, onshoring overseas manufacturing functions and establishing a new ‘innovation division’.

Founded in 1974, Conymet Duratray International specialises in the design and manufacturing of dump bodies, spare parts, steel and rubber components for mining haulage equipment.

The Latin American company received undisclosed government support through Invest Victoria, the state’s investment promotions agency which sits inside Treasury.

Conymet Duratray International’s planned Melbourne facility.

Update: An Invest Victoria spokesperson declined to disclose the amount of government support the mining manufacturer received to support its move to the state.

“The Victorian Government has provided a range of support and services to secure the establishment of the Conymet Duratray International’s global headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and innovation division in Victoria and the creation of up to 100 new highly skilled jobs in Victoria,” the spokesperson told InnovationAus.

“The exact nature of the support provided is confidential to preserve Victoria’s competitive edge to secure investment from global companies like Conymet Duratray International to Victoria.”

Announced on Thursday by Invest Victoria, the expansion of the manufacturer’s Australian footprint includes a new end to end facility in Melbourne’s south-east which will include an innovation division focused on emerging technology.

The company has offices around the world and several fabrication facilities already established in Australia in Perth, Mackay and soon in Melbourne. Its country HQ is already in its Melbourne office which will now be upgraded to the global headquarters.

Conymet Duratray International managing director Marcelo Medel, welcomed the Victorian government support and the start of a “new innovation journey” in the state.

“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,” Mr Medel said.

According to Invest Victoria, the company will leverage the state’s highly skilled workforce and innovation and R&D capabilities to develop new technologies in emerging areas of mining like data analytics, IoT, machine learning and advanced composite materials for its product line.

Victoria has set aside $2 billion for a commercialisation fund for local companies to be delivered over the next decade.

This article has been updated to include comments from Invest Victoria on the support it provided Conymet Duratray.

Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email.

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