WINDALCO Takes Chunk of Mineral Safety Awards

West Indies Alumina Company (WINDALCO), Kirkvine Works, dominated this year’s minerals industry safety awards, copping five major prizes.
At the National Minerals Industry Safety Awards banquet, held recently at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in Kingston, the Manchester-based alumina refinery proved it had the best safety practices, by surpassing five other companies, and taking a huge chunk out of the 12 major awards, which were shared among one individual and the six companies.
WINDALCO, Kirkvine walked way with the Minister’s Cup for the best safety record in ore processing operations; the Ministry’s Award for the best safety improvement in ore processing operations; the Frazer Perry Trophy for the best house-keeping performance in mining operations; the Commissioner of Mines Plaque for the best record in land reclamation and restoration; and the Minister’s Cup for the best safety practice among large quarrying operations.

State Minister for Energy and Mining, Hon. Laurence Broderick (left), presents Lands Manager at Alpart, Dr. Frank Ross, with the Minister’s Cup for the best safety record in mining operations. Dr. Ross accepted the award on behalf of Alpart, during the National Minerals Industry Safety Awards banquet, held recently at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in Kingston.

Jamalco was next in the awards tally with the Ministry’s Award for the best safety improvement in mining operations; and the N.T. Chaplin Trophy for the best housekeeping performance among alumina processing plants.
Alpart received the Minister’s Cup for the best safety record in mining operations; Somerset Enterprises, the Permanent Secretary’s Award for the best safety improvement among large quarrying operations; Carmel Stone Crushing Limited, the Ministry’s Award for the best safety practice among small quarrying operations; and Segree Universal received the Ministry’s Award for best safety improvement among small quarrying operations.
Electrician at Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners, formerly St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Partners Limited, Lenroy Scarlett, was presented with the J.J. Gagnon Trophy for the best performance in promoting safety in the bauxite/alumina industry.
Certificates of commendation for outstanding individual performance in promoting safety were also presented to persons from the various companies. Jamalco, WINDALCO, and Alpart also received certificates for completing over one million man-hours without lost time injury (LTI).

Managing Director of Alpart, Timothy O’Driscoll (left) presents Electrician at Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners, Lenroy Scarlett, with the J.J. Gagnon Trophy for the best performance in promoting safety in the bauxite/alumina industry. Occasion was the National Minerals Industry Safety Awards banquet held recently at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in Kingston.

Commissioner of Mines, Clinton Thompson, noted that every year, the Government recognises outstanding achievements in the area of safety in the minerals industry. Ensuring the safety of employees, he pointed out, is one of the major goals of the industry.
Mr. Thompson said that despite the difficulties facing the industry, “there is no doubt about the contribution that it has made, can, and will make to the growth and development of the country,” contending that Jamaica’s future lies in its natural resources.