For over 20 years, Draco Group has tackled some of South Africa’s most demanding projects in demolition, rehabilitation, asbestos and hazardous waste removal, and bulk earthworks. Backed by a Level 1 BBBEE certification, the company is recognised for delivering high-risk work with safety, precision and efficiency.
Earlier this year, the team faced one of its most demanding challenges: demolishing a 107-metre converter stack at Palabora Mining Company in Limpopo. The stack, already leaning six degrees, stood inside a working smelter operation and on the boundary of the Kruger National Park. A collapse would have posed serious risks to people, infrastructure and the environment.
Using drone technology, digital modelling and precision blasting, Draco Group brought the structure down exactly as planned. It landed neatly within a tight safety zone, with no injuries, no damage and no environmental impact. At 107 metres, it was the tallest stack of its kind ever demolished in South Africa.
The company’s demolition portfolio includes projects as varied as the high-reach removal of the Premier Foods facility, the dismantling of the Agrivaal Heritage Site, the implosion of Pretoria’s Munitoria Building, and mechanical demolition in Sandton’s busy 90 Rivonia precinct.
Rehabilitation is a core focus for Draco Group. At Sibanye Stillwater, the team stabilised land left unsafe by mining, while at the Kopanang Hostels unsafe buildings were removed and the ground prepared for redevelopment. Land contouring, drainage management and soil remediation ensure that disturbed sites are safe, stable and ready for future use.
Draco Group is licensed as a Type 3 Asbestos Contractor under the Asbestos Abatement Regulations of 2020. This accreditation enables the team to handle asbestos removal and hazardous waste safely and legally across schools, public buildings, factories, warehouses, commercial and industrial properties, and municipal projects.
Earthworks complement the company’s offerings. Teams of engineers and operators handle complex excavation and grading, manage drainage, and prepare groundworks to the exact standards required for each site. Specialised work includes roadway, bridge, channel and footing excavations, borrow pits, dredging and underground excavation.
Safety is built into the way Draco Group runs its projects. A dedicated safety officer manages each site, and work begins every morning with toolbox talks that address the risks of the day. Staff receive regular training in first aid, fire-fighting and SHE practices, along with instruction in fall arrest, scaffolding and risk assessment. Workers are issued with protective gear, and strict audits are carried out before and during each project.
The same care is given to how materials are managed. Steel is recovered and recycled, while concrete is crushed for reuse in roadworks or as fill, reducing landfill waste and putting resources back into circulation.
The company also draws on local subcontractors wherever possible, providing employment in nearby communities and giving workers the chance to gain experience on active projects. Work with organisations such as the Palabora Foundation ensures that projects contribute to the wider community as well as the site itself.