The CSIR mechanical testing laboratory is uniquely positioned to support the mining industry with its testing and inspection services. Established as the Government Mechanical Laboratory by the Department of Mines in 1935, the laboratory offers 90 years of experience in superior testing facilities, targeted at safety in critical lifting and hoisting equipment, as well as support for mine products in South Africa’s deep and ultra-deep underground mines. The CSIR has been the proud custodian of this national asset since the mid-1960s and continues to provide expert mechanical testing services that contribute to worker safety and regulatory compliance in the mining industry and other industries.

The CSIR mechanical testing laboratory offers an independent and objective testing service to the industry with a niche capability to test large items. This service includes proof load tests carried out on new and refurbished products, such as lifting and hoisting equipment. This rigorous process aims to confirm the structural integrity and load-carrying capacity of these items before they are released into service. The mechanical properties of materials and the ultimate strength and modes of failure of products can be determined through destructive testing. The performance and behaviour of items such as load cells, hydraulic jacks and cylinders can be evaluated under the application of prescribed loads.

Although heavily applicable to the mining industry, the specialised services offered by the CSIR mechanical testing laboratory are relevant to various industries across the country, including civil construction, road and rail transport, and power distribution. Users in the mining industry include manufacturers of lifting and hoisting equipment as well as mine support products and end-users of these items.

The collaborative approach of the laboratory, combined with the availability of complementary capabilities throughout the CSIR, positions it as a capable partner in addressing the distinctive and challenging testing requirements of our clients. This includes investigating and recreating mechanical failures of equipment, which can provide valuable insights during product development or as part of failure incident investigations.

Testing services are offered at the CSIR mining laboratories located in Johannesburg. A team of capable personnel working in the mechanical laboratory receives test requests and items for testing on a daily basis. The laboratory is equipped to carry out tensile testing in the force range 1 to 1 500 tons (10 to 15 000 kN) and can accommodate test items up to 25 metres (m) in length. In compression testing, the laboratory can handle test items with a footprint of up to 4 m² and a length of 4.5 m, while applying compressive loads of up to 1 000 tons (10 000 kN).