Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) on Tuesday held its 2024 Outstanding Local Staff Awards ceremony, an event aimed at celebrating the hard work and dedication of its local employees.
The awards ceremony is part of the company’s annual tradition of recognizing exceptional staff contributions.
A total of 82 outstanding staff members out of GRML’s 571-strong workforce were presented with certificates and cash bonuses by company Director and managers. These awards underscore the company’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and rewarding those who go above and beyond in their roles.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Director and the Government & Public Relations Manager, Benjamin Afuga congratulated the recipients, emphasizing the difficulty of selecting awardees when many other staff members also demonstrate commendable effort.
“You should be proud and use this recognition as a motivation to maintain and elevate your work performance this year and in the years ahead. Receiving this award is not a sign to become complacent but rather an encouragement to continue excelling,” Afuga stated.
He acknowledged the challenges faced in the previous year but praised the dedication and resilience of the staff, which contributed significantly to the company’s success and achievement of production targets.
Deputy Mines Manager Xuanyu Yang [Sophie] echoed similar sentiments, expressing gratitude to all employees for their valuable contributions. “The company’s outputs have been remarkable, and every team member played an essential role in our achievements,” she said.
She went on to announce the company’s future expansion plans, and that workers are key to achieving results.
In response, some of the award recipients expressed their gratitude for the recognition, sharing personal reflections on how their roles have positively impacted their lives and the company.
Staff Testimonials
Stephen Dollan Mae from the Gold Concentrate Department shared his pride in being recognized. As a loader operator, his daily responsibilities involve loading processed concentrates into containers for export. Despite the challenges, he credited his success to teamwork and support from his supervisors.
“As a landowner myself, I can proudly say that GRML has brought employment opportunities right to our doorsteps. This job allows me to support my family, pay school fees, and provide for daily needs,” Mae said, reflecting on his four years with the company.
Enock Seve, a driver in the Logistics Department, highlighted his role in transporting staff between their pickup points and the mine site. He also provides transport services for other departments, ensuring smooth operations across the mining pits and company facilities.
“Although there are challenges, the support of my boss and colleagues has helped me overcome them. GRML’s employment has benefited my family by meeting our basic needs,” Seve remarked.
John Mattok, a Security Supervisor with over five years of experience at GRML, shared insights into his demanding role.
“As a Security Supervisor, I oversee security guards, plan their work, and monitor their performance. Dealing with illegal miners requires sensitivity and a common-sense approach,” Mattok explained. He also noted that around 3,000 to 4,000 people from various parts of Guadalcanal and beyond are present in the mining lease areas, further complicating security challenges.
Hilda Ramo, a Laboratory employee and a Chemistry student at the University of the South Pacific, expressed her appreciation for the recognition as she continues her studies.
“This award means a lot to me as a new worker who is still learning. I’m grateful to my supervisor and colleagues for their support and encouragement,” Ramo said. She looks forward to completing her work experience and applying her newfound skills to her university studies.
George Pino, with extensive mining experience, works in the Heap Leach Department and shared how GRML’s employment has positively impacted his life.
“The recognition means a lot to me. This is the first time after many years I have received this award, and it has already motivated me to work extra hard this year and onwards,” Pino said. He also highlighted that his job enables him to send his children to school and meet basic needs such as food.
Building a Strong Workforce
GRML’s annual recognition ceremony reflects its dedication to employee development and well-being. The company’s leadership emphasized the importance of continued growth and collaboration among staff to achieve both personal and organizational goals.
The event concluded with a special lunch with the awardees, symbolizing their collective commitment to excellence and the shared vision of GRML’s future successes.
- GRML
