Sentinels of Safety: another tremendous win for Ames Mine

Hot off the heels of a Diamond Elite Award, this Central Division Site has earned a top industry honor

The Ames Mine team had much to celebrate in 2024.

Just a few months after being named Martin Marietta’s Diamond Elite crew, the underground mine team won one of the oldest and most distinguished honors in the mining industry: the Sentinels of Safety Award.

“Winning both of these awards is like your birthday landing on Christmas,” said Plant Manager Doug Robey. “In all honesty, it really shows the dedication and commitment this team has to safety and to each other.”

The Sentinels of Safety Award represents the best-of-the-best regarding safety excellence in the mining industry. Started over a century ago by then-commerce secretary and would-be president, Herbert Hoover, the award is presented annually by the National Mining Association (NMA) to the nation’s safest mine. The honor recognizes teams that record a minimum of 4,000 injury-free hours in the year.

In 2024, 20 mining operations – six coal mines and 14 mineral/metal mines – were honored for their extraordinary safety performance.

“No matter the size of the company or the material mined, these awards show that safety is of the utmost importance across this diverse and vibrant industry,” said NMA President and CEO Rich Nolan in a statement. “As the demand for mined materials continues to grow, so does our industry’s unshakable focus on safety and the innovative ways that modern mining utilizes advanced technologies to reduce risks across the mine environment.”

Martin Marietta’s top priority and core company value is safety, said Regional Vice President-General Manager Todd Clock, who was immensely proud when he learned of the Ames team’s honor.

“It was humbling to know that our team was being recognized as a leader not only in our company but across the country,” Clock said. “This demonstrates their commitment to embracing our Guardian Angel safety culture and knowing ZERO is possible when everyone is committed to being a Good Wingman.”

Regional Production Manager Ryan Bender echoed Clock’s sentiment.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment for the Ames Mine team and something they should be proud of. Winning either of these awards is a huge achievement, but earning both in the same year highlights the group’s tremendous effort and focus on safety,” Bender said. “The divisional focus on safety is perfectly aligned with company expectations that there are ZERO incidents every day.”

Ames has been in operation for more than 40 years and employs more than 100 dedicated ONE team members who are motivated to achieve safety excellence, Bender added. Robey said the team’s dedication to safety has increased exponentially over those four decades.

“All of our people understand the importance of commitment to achieving safety at a high level,” he said. “Earning this award truly shows what can occur in a team environment. It shows that you can achieve greatness when your work matches the company’s culture.”