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Sustainable Mining Project wins Engineering Project of the Year 

Lydford Mining Company has been named the winner of the prestigious Award for Engineering Project of the Year by the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) for their groundbreaking initiative, Engineered Sustainability in Limestone Mining. 

The announcement was made on November 23, 2024, during a gala and awards dinner at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

The award-winning project represents a transformative approach to sustainable mining, integrating cutting-edge technology and innovative engineering solutions to position Jamaica’s limestone sector as a global leader. Significantly, the project was led by a team of young engineers, Yeshika Kelly, Joel McConnell, Jase Millington and Darren Millington, many of whom were not yet born when Lydford Mining was founded 32 years ago.

Advancing Sustainability and Innovation
The Engineered Sustainability in Limestone Mining project underscores Lydford’s commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainable development. By adopting advanced technologies such as Jamaica’s first Wirtgen Surface Miner SM220i, a Static VAR Generator (SVG) for energy management, and a reliability-centred maintenance program, Lydford revolutionised mining operations. These innovations have reduced energy consumption, improved operational efficiency, and minimized the environmental footprint of their processes.

“This project represents a significant milestone in advancing Jamaica’s limestone mining sector through innovation and sustainable practices,” said Jackie Millington, PE, Managing Director of Lydford Mining. “By optimizing productivity, enhancing environmental stewardship, and contributing to national economic growth, we are proud to be setting new benchmarks for excellence in our industry.”

Empowering Young Talent
A key highlight of this project is the role played by Lydford’s young engineers, whose passion, ingenuity, and technical expertise drove the initiative. “Our team reflects the future of Jamaican engineering,” Millington remarked. “We believe in empowering young professionals through education, training, and opportunities to lead major projects.”

Lydford’s investment in staff development extends beyond project implementation. The company actively community and engineers to publish technical papers, share innovations with the wider engineering community, and contribute to the advancement of the field in Jamaica.

Engineering Excellence Meets Community Impact

The project’s success was rooted in collaboration across disciplines, involving contributions from electrical, mining, process, reliability, and industrial engineering. Stakeholder engagement played a vital role, with input from government regulators, local communities, and financial institutions ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and societal expectations.

Environmental considerations were central to the initiative. By replacing traditional blasting with the surface miner and adopting dust suppression systems, Lydford minimized ecological disruption, reduced CO₂ emissions, and improved local air quality.

“The project underscores our commitment to advancing the mining sector while fostering community engagement and workforce development,” Millington stated. “By training local talent and prioritizing environmental sustainability, we are contributing to Jamaica’s industrial future and the global competitiveness of our mining industry.”

The newly elected chairman at Lydford, Peter Goldson, was proud to celebrate with the Lydford team, lauding them for the ingenuity of their team of engineers. “Lydford’s team of young engineers represent the best that Jamaica has to offer,” said Goldson. “The team is made up of individuals born, raised and, most importantly, trained in Jamaica – the majority are below 35 years old. So to know that they beat out several international projects is amazing.”

A Vision for Jamaica’s Future
Lydford’s award-winning project aligns with the vision of the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) to build a sustainable and innovative future for the country. The company’s achievements exemplify how productivity, sustainability, and community engagement can coexist in engineering excellence.

“The recognition by JIE affirms our dedication to advancing the field of engineering and the broader mining industry,” Millington added. “We look forward to continuing to share our successes with the engineering community and inspiring future projects.”