About Us

Civil Engineering Testing Laboratories

Established in 1969, Civilab is one of South Africa’s most respected and technically advanced civil and mining engineering laboratories. With more than 55 years of trusted service across the continent, we specialise in construction materials testing, forensic engineering, and geotechnical investigations for the civil, mining, infrastructure, and consulting industries.

We are not just a lab—we are a team of passionate engineers, scientists, and technicians working hand-in-hand with project managers, engineers, and contractors to ensure that every structure stands the test of time. From soils, aggregates, and concrete to bitumen and beyond, our SANAS-accredited laboratories operate to ISO 17025 standards and are renowned for delivering precision, consistency, and integrity. Our scope extends across South Africa and into the broader African region, with a strong record of site investigations and testing for infrastructure, civil engineering, and mining projects of all scales.

Our temporary or site-based laboratories are fully supported and quality-controlled by accredited branches and subjected to rigorous internal and external assessments, including structured proficiency testing programmes. This ensures that every test result—whether on-site or in the lab—is accurate, repeatable, and reliable.

We proudly lead the way in Africa as the first laboratory on the continent to perform GCL (Geosynthetic Clay Liner) testing, underlining our role as innovators in specialist geotechnical services. We also support the mining sector with advanced materials analysis, helping ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations from exploration to infrastructure rollout.

At the heart of Civilab is a deep belief in precision backed by purpose. Our forensic engineering division plays a critical role in determining the root causes of structural failures, providing stakeholders—contractors, engineers, insurers, and courts—with defensible, technically sound insights in the face of complex disputes or litigation.

Our commitment to excellence extends into the digital realm through our in-house developed LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System)—a proprietary software platform used exclusively by Civilab (Pty) Ltd. This enables streamlined workflows, secure data integrity, and enhanced client service.

Backed by a culture of continuous improvement and driven by our dedication to smarter, more sustainable testing solutions, Civilab is proud to play a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s built environment. More than just a service provider, we are your technical partner in building a safer, stronger South Africa—and beyond.

Civilab has training programs in place for the advancement of its entire staff. The company has two permanent branches, namely in Johannesburg (Booysens Reserve) and Rustenburg.

The company, although operating independently, is jointly owned by several prominent local and international firms.

The company’s wide range of laboratory, field and technical services is complemented by the operations of its associated companies:

• Soilco, multiple KwaZulu-Natal based SANAS accredited civil engineering testing laboratories.

• Labco, multiple Eastern and Western Cape based SANAS accredited civil engineering testing laboratories.
  

• Specialized Road Technologies(SRT), SANAS accredited specialized bitumen laboratory and road surveillance service company, operating from Durban and Johannesburg.