Rio Tinto receives Hatch-CIM Mining & Metals Project Development Safety Award
Rio Tinto is recognized for an exceptional safety program at the T2 Tunnel Project in Kemano, British Columbia. Performing complex work safely through systems, processes, and people, with a culture of caring for one another led to an outstanding safety record.
Mississauga, ON — Rio Tinto has been awarded the Hatch-CIM Mining & Metals Project Development Safety award. The award was presented at the CIM-Caterpillar Celebration of Excellence gala on May 1, 2023, hosted just before CIM’s annual conference and expo held this year from April 30 to May 3, 2023.
Rio Tinto is recognized for an exceptional safety program at the T2 Tunnel Project in Kemano, British Columbia. Performing complex work safely through systems, processes, and people, with a culture of caring for one another led to an outstanding safety record.
The Hatch–CIM Mining & Minerals Project Development Safety award was established in 2012 to recognize and reward projects with outstanding safety systems and performance. The award focuses on the safety culture and results at the mine and/or processing plant and its infrastructure during the development and construction phases of a project.
“We believe it’s imperative to recognize and honor project teams that strive to achieve No Harm. At the end of the day, when everyone goes home safely, we can say we did our job well. And that’s something we can be proud of,” said Dan Welshons, Hatch’s global director of health & safety.
The award selection criteria is based on the safe execution of a Canadian mine or processing facility in the metals, diamonds, industrial minerals, oil sands, and coal sectors. The Canadian owner/contractor team must complete a single, significant (>300,000 work hours) project located in Canada within 12 months prior to the award application. Also, to be an eligible, the project owner or project team must be an active CIM member.
This year’s winner, the T2 Tunnel Project, achieve the Lost Time Frequency Rate of 0.17 which was below the project target of 0.33. Project tasks and works were analyzed on an ongoing basis through risk assessments, job hazard analysis, method statements, field level risk assessments, and ongoing field coaching and observation. This project was also recognized for safety performance by being awarded the Tunnel Business Magazine’s 2022 Tunnel Achievement Award for safety.
The project was completed over a period of five years including early works.
“Congratulations Rio Tinto for an outstanding safety system, culture, and performance that led to the safe execution of a complex project,” said Welshons.