The company obtains regional nomination and aspires for GKK National Award
Critical inspection. Greenstone Safety and Health Manager Aldrin Arieta gave DOLE validators a tour of the company’s Tailings Storage Facility 6 at the Siana Gold Project in Surigao del Norte.
Tubod, Surigao del Norte / September 2024 – TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) wholly-owned subsidiary, Greenstone Resources Corporation – operator of the Siana Gold Project in this municipality – recently participated in a validation audit by the Occupational Safety and Health Commission (OSHC) of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (DOLE-GKK) Award.
The validation followed the company’s industrial category nomination as one of the safest mining companies in the Caraga Region. Meantime, Greenstone Safety and Health Manager Aldrin Arieta was likewise nominated for the individual category.
An opportune nomination
Greenstone’s nomination and subsequent validation highlight the company’s strong commitment to occupational safety and health standards – which has generated nearly 7.3 million safe man-hours with no lost time due to accidents. Safety challenges are inherent to the mining industry, and the company’s ability to maintain high safety standards and mitigate risks are clear demonstrations of its effectiveness in protecting its workforce.
“This nomination for the GKK Award is a pivotal moment in our journey toward safety excellence. By adhering to our motto ‘Safety begins with me, let’s go for zero accidents,’ Greenstone ensures that its commitment to occupational health and safety not only meets standards but sets new benchmarks by inspiring a culture that consciously creates a safer, healthier work environment,” said Arieta, who is primarily responsible for upholding the company’s standards and reducing potential risks to personnel.
The validation audit by the OSHC is a critical step in Greenstone’s pursuit of the GKK Award. It involves a detailed review of the company’s safety and health programs, practices, and records, focusing on compliance with DOLE’s safety standards and the effectiveness of accident prevention strategies. The audit also includes direct observations and employee interviews to assess the company’s safety culture.
The culture of safety has long been ingrained in the TVIRD Group. During its operations, the company’s Canatuan gold-silver / copper-zinc project was awarded the GKK and Safety Milestone (SMile) award in 2010 and 2012. It likewise cornered the Safest Mine Award during the Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in 2010 and the Safest Mineral Processing Award (Concentrator Category) in 2012 while its Agata Nickel Project got the Safest Exploration award in the same year.
Meanwhile, TVIRD’s Siana Gold Project under Greenstone was also awarded the Safety Milestone award by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in 2023
The GKK Award
The Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) Award is one of the most prestigious recognitions that honors exceptional occupational safety and health practices in the local workplace. Presented by the DOLE-OSHC, the award commends companies and individuals who excel in maintaining exemplary OSH standards.
Greenstone’s nomination in the industrial category for the GKK Award is a testament to the company’s dedication to creating a safe and healthy work environment. It likewise reflects its proactive approach to safeguarding its workforce, consistently meeting — and often exceeding — OSH regulatory requirements.
The rigorous GKK Award validation process involves a comprehensive evaluation of a company’s OSH programs, procedures, and effectiveness. Auditors meticulously examine how a company manages risks, prevents accidents and maintains continuous training and safety awareness among its employees. This thorough audit ensures that safety practices are not just documented but actively implemented and ingrained in a company’s daily operations.
