Another astonishing achievement for Ames Mine

At the start of the year, the underground mine celebrated 3 million hours without a lost-time injury and 1 million hours with no reportable injuries.

The accolades keep rolling in for the Ames Mine team.

Following an exceptional year in which the site won both the company’s and industry’s most significant honors — the Diamond Elite Award and the Sentinels of Safety, respectively — the Central Division crew is celebrating two incredible milestones.

At the start of the year, the underground mine reached 3 million hours without a lost-time injury and 1 million hours with no reportable injuries.

“It’s hard not to enjoy work when you see that Diamond Elite statue surrounded by all of the awards in that trophy case. That exact image tells you what it means to be an Ames Mine employee,” says Mobile Equipment Manager Cullen Anderson as he looks at the display case in Ames’ break room. “You don’t hit as many milestones as we have if you don’t love doing what you do, day in and day out.”

The site, located in Iowa, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And while the crew works tirelessly, they are constantly thinking about one thing: safely returning home to their families.

“My wife knows that I take safety seriously at work and at home. She knows that when I walk out the door in the morning, I’m going to walk back in at the end of the day the same way I left,” says Foreman Evan Sears. “To me, safety is making sure to identify all hazards present and eliminate them. I have the power to stop any dangerous processes, and I will do so.”

Each member of the team is part of a large network of Wingmen who look out for one another. Leading the crew of 100 dedicated miners is Plant Manager Doug Robey.

Like many of his colleagues, Robey grew up just outside the operation’s gates and has strived throughout his career for continued safety excellence.

For Robey, his team’s tremendous performance has meant a great deal. And when the site achieved its most recent safety milestones, he was overwhelmed with pride.

“Ames Mine is an operation with so many moving parts — literally. Underground can be a real challenge, especially when you think about how much mobile equipment is here and what is needed to operate,” he says. “This focus is what makes the culture here incredible. I can truly say that our passion and teamwork is second to none.”

As Robey reflects on the site’s evolution over the past several years, it is the team’s collective dedication — to safety and to each other — that has made all the difference.

“Build a safety culture, believe in it fully,” he says. “Great things can and will happen so long as we always find passion for our teams.”