Didipio & Haile – Working Together
“Show them what you’ve got!” That is what Gary Webb, Didipio Process Manager, said to three of his team members before they jetted to the United States to assist with the commissioning of the Haile Gold Mine.
“It was a challenging experience, but definitely worth it,” said Kristine Monilla, a Process Shift Supervisor at Didipio who served as Control Room Supervisor at the Haile Process Plant. |
Kristine added, “It was both an opportunity and a pleasure to share the knowledge and best practices from Didipio with our new colleagues at Haile. Making new friends within our global company was also a welcome addition to the experience.”
More of the best and brightest from Didipio also made the trip overseas to help their new American teammates. |
Armin Gil Musa (Sr. Electrical Engineer) and Brett Stewart (Electrical Superintendent) both arrived at Haile to focus on the electrical dimension of Haile’s new process plant. Raymond Setiagani (Metallurgical Development and Project Advisor) also participated in the commissioning of the Haile Gold Mine.
Despite the extreme challenges they all needed to overcome, such as adapting to the cold weather, a new work environment, and being away from loved ones, the commissioning team from Didipio endeavored to help develop a high-performing team at Haile who will take up the challenge of collaborating for process execution to optimize reliable production through the safe and effective processing of minerals. For Armin Musa, his involvement in Haile’s commissioning served as a refresher course since Didipio’s Process Plant was commissioned four years ago. Therefore, one of his biggest contributions was demonstrating OceanaGold’s best practice when it comes to plant maintenance, targeting over-all process efficiency. |
Living our Values and Building a Culture of Sharing
The Filipino culture dictates that knowledge should be shared, hence the predominant practice of mentoring in the Philippines. Sharing of expertise by our Didipio leaders with Haile colleagues provided a great sense of self-fulfillment as all could see the results of the collaboration - a highly efficient process plant running on internationally recognized, best practice standards.
Kristine noted that while she was on site in South Carolina, she felt an eagerness to share the best practices she applies at Didipio. Techniques and best practices were easily incorporated into all aspects of the operations for the new mine. For instance, the Haile Process Plant has adopted a similar reporting system to Didipio’s, which has significantly improved the procedure of tracking lost time during shutdown.
The Didipio team received positive feedback and together achieved great results.
Overall, the experience at Haile was both empowering and inspiring; underpinning that the collaboration of two OceanaGold Operations was the key to the successful commissioning of the process plant of the new mine.
"We take pride in our valued Philippine workforce who continuously strive to become better at what they do and who have always been eager share their expertise with others. We will continue to put our trust and confidence in our people's world-class talents, bringing about positive impacts to their lives and to the lives of others," recapped David Way, Didipio Operations General Manager.
Kristine noted that while she was on site in South Carolina, she felt an eagerness to share the best practices she applies at Didipio. Techniques and best practices were easily incorporated into all aspects of the operations for the new mine. For instance, the Haile Process Plant has adopted a similar reporting system to Didipio’s, which has significantly improved the procedure of tracking lost time during shutdown.
The Didipio team received positive feedback and together achieved great results.
Overall, the experience at Haile was both empowering and inspiring; underpinning that the collaboration of two OceanaGold Operations was the key to the successful commissioning of the process plant of the new mine.
"We take pride in our valued Philippine workforce who continuously strive to become better at what they do and who have always been eager share their expertise with others. We will continue to put our trust and confidence in our people's world-class talents, bringing about positive impacts to their lives and to the lives of others," recapped David Way, Didipio Operations General Manager.