Smarter Mine Haulage Worldwide – By Duratray -the #1 Innovator

In mining, the spotlight usually falls on automation, AI systems, or futuristic control rooms. But often, it’s the quieter innovations that change the game — not the next frontier, but a smarter approach to what’s already central to the operation. That’s where Duratray International comes in. Rather than trying to offer a solution for everything, it’s focused on one area that affects everything else – smarter mine haulage. And it’s here that the company has built a reputation not just for solid equipment, but for helping mines operate in more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective ways. Duratray isn’t just building trays. It’s helping mines all over the world move smarter – physically, financially, and in ways that prepare them for a more connected future.

Rethinking What a Tray Can Do for Smarter Mine Haulage

The centrepiece of Duratray’s offering is the Suspended Dump Body (SDB), a tray that performs unlike anything else in the field.

Most trays are built to be rigid. Thick steel. Hard edges. The sort of design that absorbs impact by resisting it. That can work, up to a point. But it also comes with weight, vibration, material build-up and increased wear across the entire haulage system.

Duratray’s design takes a different approach. The SDB has a steel frame like most trays, but its floor is made from a rubber or composite mat suspended by high-tensile chains. It flexes slightly under load, allowing it to absorb energy and release material more efficiently. The result is a tray that reduces carry-back, is noticeably lighter, and puts less strain on the truck and the operator.

It’s not just a physical improvement. It changes the economics of haulage altogether.

Carry More, Burn Less – The Smarter Mine Haulage Advantage

Every mining truck has its limits. Weight up top affects the whole system – from the engine and tyres to fuel consumption and structural fatigue. By shaving several tonnes off the tray’s weight, Duratray makes room for more payload without pushing the truck beyond its rated capacity.

Over time, that means fewer trips, lower fuel use, and less mechanical strain. There’s also less carry-back. The suspended mat doesn’t allow material to cling the way steel does, so every dump cycle clears more completely.

It’s a compound benefit. More tonnes moved per shift, with fewer wasted cycles and less wear on the fleet. For mines operating on tight margins or chasing ESG targets, that efficiency isn’t optional – it’s a strategic advantage.

Designed With Operators in Mind for Smarter Mine Haulage

Most haulage innovations focus on machinery. But Duratray has given real thought to the people inside the cab too.

Traditional steel trays send the full force of impact through the frame and into the suspension system. That force continues through to the cab, jolting the driver with every load. Over time, those vibrations lead to fatigue, discomfort and health issues.

The SDB’s suspended floor absorbs a lot of that energy. Operators report a noticeably smoother ride, and there’s less need to slow down or adjust routes to reduce jarring. In many ways, the tray creates a better working environment – one where safety and comfort are part of the performance equation.

No Two Trays Alike in Smarter Mine Haulage

One of the more surprising facts about Duratray is how rarely it builds the same tray twice. That’s not due to indecision – it’s because the company customises every tray to the specific needs of the mine.

Ore density, haul route gradients, climate, loading equipment and regional compliance rules all feed into the design. Even the way a mine dumps its material can influence how the tray is built.

Duratray works closely with engineers and procurement teams to ensure that each tray is more than just a good fit – it’s an ideal match. That might mean a reinforced edge for abrasive material, a modified tail for sticky loads, or a lighter profile to comply with road limits.

This level of attention ensures that the SDB performs at its best, right from day one. And because it’s designed with the future in mind, modifications and upgrades can be done without starting over.

Proven in the Real World – Smarter Mine Haulage in Action

Duratray trays are operating in some of the world’s most demanding mining environments – high-altitude gold sites, remote copper pits, arid iron ore flats and heavy coal operations. Each region presents its own test, and the results speak for themselves.

The company doesn’t just rely on lab tests or simulations. It listens to what mines are seeing on the ground. Real-world data from haulage cycles, maintenance logs, fuel records and operator feedback all shape the ongoing refinement of the product.

That experience matters. Because when a new site calls, Duratray doesn’t just show up with a catalogue. It brings insights gained from thousands of haulage hours in comparable conditions.

Not Just a Tray – A Smarter Mine Haulage System

Many suppliers treat trays as a commodity – interchangeable parts that can be swapped out when worn. Duratray sees them differently.

The SDB doesn’t operate in isolation. It affects tyre wear, fuel use, shift planning, loading efficiency, road maintenance, and even scheduling of service intervals. That means the tray can’t be optimised without considering everything it touches.

Duratray often works with clients to evaluate the full cost of ownership, not just the initial price. And what many mines find is that while the SDB may cost more up front, it saves significantly over time – through reduced fuel bills, longer truck life, and better cycle productivity.

That’s not a sales pitch. It’s an operational truth that becomes clear when the numbers are tracked properly.

Smarter Mine Haulage Isn’t Just Physical – It’s Digital Too

Mining is entering an era where data matters as much as diesel. Sensors, monitoring platforms and connected systems are becoming the norm – and Duratray sees a natural role for the tray in that shift.

The SDB already delivers measurable physical gains. But its structure also makes it a strong candidate for further integration into smart mining systems.

There’s potential for sensor attachments that monitor impact forces, track wear patterns or detect material build-up. With those inputs, predictive maintenance becomes possible. Breakdowns can be avoided, and fleet planning becomes more accurate.

Looking further ahead, the SDB could feed data into a mine’s digital twin – helping operators model truck performance, schedule maintenance, or simulate alternative routes and load strategies.

The tray itself might not change. But the information it gathers could transform how mines make decisions.

While these technologies aren’t standard yet, Duratray is already working with clients to explore their feasibility. Because the future of smarter movement isn’t just about what a tray can carry – it’s about what it can tell you.

A Practical Step Toward ESG Goals Through Smarter Mine Haulage

Sustainability is no longer a side note in mining. It’s a daily priority, driven by investor expectations, community standards and long-term regulatory pressure.

Duratray’s contribution is tangible. Lighter trays mean less fuel burned and fewer emissions. Better material release means fewer wasted trips. Shock absorption means less road damage, fewer tyre changes, and less need for intervention.

All of that reduces environmental impact. But it also supports the human side of ESG. A smoother ride protects operators. Longer-lasting equipment reduces exposure to high-risk maintenance work. And fewer component failures mean less downtime and less pressure on overworked crews.

Put simply, smarter trays support smarter mining – in every sense of the word.

Protected Design, Evolving Purpose for Smarter Mine Haulage

Duratray’s Suspended Dump Body is protected by patents, reflecting years of research and refinement. But the company doesn’t treat that design as static. It’s a platform – one that continues to evolve with each deployment.

Lessons learned from clients in South America feed into designs for Australia. Feedback from the coal fields of Africa shapes improvements in Canada. This global knowledge cycle strengthens the product without complicating it.

The result is a tray that not only works but keeps getting better.

Partnership Over Product – Building Smarter Mine Haulage Together

Duratray’s value isn’t found on a spec sheet. It’s in how the company works with its clients.

Rather than just delivering equipment, the team engages with mine managers, maintenance staff and field engineers to understand how the tray fits into the bigger picture. That means ongoing support, design adjustments, lifecycle planning and data-sharing – not just a sale.

This relationship-first approach helps mines get more from every truck. And it ensures that when something needs to change, Duratray is already ready with a solution.

A Shift in How We Think About Smarter Mine Haulage

Mining doesn’t stand still. The pressures change. The expectations rise. But one thing remains constant – the need to move material safely, efficiently and responsibly.

Duratray’s approach acknowledges this without trying to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it focuses on one of the most overlooked parts of the fleet and asks: how can we make this better?

And the answer, it turns out, is both simple and powerful.

Build a tray that carries more, weighs less, lasts longer, protects the truck, supports the operator, and leaves the site in better condition than it found it.

That’s smarter movement. And it’s what Duratray is delivering – one tray at a time.

Duratray International: A Truly Unique Force in the Mining Industry – Valued by discerning mines