Solid Earth receives grand slam
Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) made a grand slam during the recent Safest Mines and Quarries Awards at Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
The company operating in San Fernando, Cebu earned the “Safest Quarry Operations” award for the third consecutive year and the 2016 “Safest Mining Operations,” the highest award for a mining operator.
It also got the recognition for the 2016 “Best Mining Forest” in the nonmetallic category, the same classification as the award for safest mining operation, said Delfin Campo, SEDC operations manager.
SEDC’s primary client, Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. (TCPI), also earned back-to-back merit for operating the “Safest Mineral Processing” in the cement plant category.
Regarded as the Oscars in the Philippine mining industry, the awarding came as the highlight of the 63rd National Mine Safety and Environment Conference of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA).
For 63 years, PMSEA members themselves have judged the contenders for the awards through a system similar to that of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the movie industry in the United States.
Witnessed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Mario Luis J. Jacinto, also concurrent Mines and Geosciences Bureau director, PMSEA president Louie Sarmiento handed the awards to SEDC and TCPI that have been consistent with giving prime value to safety and environmental protection.
SEDC director Hiroyuki Sakakibara received the awards with Campo, human resources and administration head Mitzie Almira Carin and community relations officer Gines Boltron.
Engineer Romeo Gebilaguin, environment and safety division manager, and safety inspector Bert Yap received the award for TCPI and dedicated this to their fellow employees.
Both companies are behind the production of cement products Grand Portland, Grand Pozzolan, Grand Premium and Grand Masonry.
While SEDC bested all other non-metallic mining companies for operating the “Safest Mining Operations” this year, it also earned the “Safest Quarry Operations” award in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
It also achieved Zero Lost Time Accident in 2009 and 2010.
Pitched against all cement manufacturing plants in the country, TCPI had previously earned the major award for “Safest Mineral Processing” in 2006, 2007 and 2009, and merits also in 2010 and 2012.
SEDC mines out in San Fernando uplands limestone and alumino-silicate materials such as clay, silica and gypsum—minerals that TCPI needs to manufacture cement at its plant in South Poblacion.
Gebilaguin and Campo cited the persistent support and active involvement of management in the safety programs.