The TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) Group of Companies continues to push the standard for occupational safety and health within the Philippine mining industry through is parallel victories in the regional leg of the coveted Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) Award.
The company’s Balabag Gold-Silver Project in Zamboanga del Sur, along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Greenstone Resources Corporation – which operates the Siana Gold Project in Surigao del Norte – were both recently honored with the prestigious Industrial Category award by the Department of Labor and Employment’s Occupational Safety and Health Center (DOLE-OSHC).
TVIRD's Balabag Project was recognized in Region IX while Greenstone’s Siana Project, received its accolade in Region XIII (Caraga). These sought-after regional awards reflect the company's strict adherence to the highest safety standards in its mining operations as well as the TVIRD Group’s outstanding commitment to ensure the well-being of both its workforce and the community.
"These prestigious GKK Awards reflect the TVIRD Group’s relentless pursuit of a secure working environment while contributing to the sustainable development of the mining industry. It likewise strengthens our resolve to promote safe, responsible and sustainable mining practices in the Philippines," stated TVIRD’s Tenement Management and Environmental Compliance Director Jesalyn Guingging.
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.
Dedication to Safety and Health
Greenstone’s Safety and Health Manager Aldrin Arieta leads the TVIRD Group in making significant strides to foster a culture of safety across all its projects. Arieta is a Mechanical Engineering and a registered Occupational Safety and Health Practitioner for Mining who devoted over a decade to enhancing workplace safety protocols.
“Safety remains our top priority, and we will continue promoting a culture that protects and empowers everyone," said Arieta who also clinched the GKK Regional Award in the Individual Category, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the field.
Prior recognitions
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 in 2012 while its Agata Nickel Project got the Safest Exploration award that 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. It has been named the 2024 Overall Champion in the Industrial Category of the first Governor's Rescue Olympics, as well as won the Regional Fire Olympics Champion title and the National 1st Runner-up at the Bureau of Fire Protection’s 2024 National Fire Olympics.
The company also achieved the PMIEA Safest Surface Mines Award Runner-up during the 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference while the TVIRD Group's disaster response efforts were further recognized by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Tubod.
Meanwhile, the Balabag team emerged as the overall champion in the 2024 National Fire Olympics for the Industrial Category and received accolades during the 2022 Presidential Mine Industry Environmental Awards for their commendable safety and health performance, ultimately winning the Safest Surface Mines award in the same program.
Currently, Greenstone has proudly recorded over 8.1 million safe man-hours, while Balabag has achieved an impressive 13.6 million - milestones that reflect the TVIRD Group’s dedication to safety and health practices as well as exemplifying a legacy of care and responsibility.
