SOCOTEC nominated for trio of ground engineering excellence awards

Mon 03/30/2026 - 11:07

SOCOTEC UK & Ireland has been nominated for three Ground Engineering Awards, following its involvement in major quarry projects.

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SOCOTEC was in partnership with GEARS Ltd, Tarmac, Instantel, the University of Liverpool, and the Mineral Products Association on the works at Ravelrig Quarry, and has been shortlisted in the Award for Technical Excellence category, the Sustainability Award category, and the Award for Equipment Innovation Category.

The nominations recognise the collaborative development of blast monitoring technology for quarry operations – an innovative approach that is revolutionising how blast monitoring is conducted in the extractives industry.

LDG Datum, acquired by SOCOTEC in 2025, are heavily involved with the project, and hold a wealth of experience with blast monitoring.

Mark Hodgen, Director at LDG Datum, said of the news: “It’s fantastic to be recognised, along with our partners GEARS Ltd, Tarmac, Instantel, the University of Liverpool and the Mineral Products Association, for our work on several major Tarmac quarries around the UK.

"It’s fantastic to be recognised, along with our partners GEARS Ltd, Tarmac, Instantel, the University of Liverpool and the Mineral Products Association, for our work on several major Tarmac quarries around the UK. The Ground Engineering Awards are incredibly well thought of throughout the sector, and being shortlisted is a significant achievement in itself, highlighting excellence and innovation across the industry. We look forward to pitching to the judges, alongside our colleagues at all the involved companies, and attending the awards later this year."

Mark Hodgen, Director at LDG Datum

The evidence-led blast monitoring technology represents a significant advancement in quarry operations. This project stemmed from work presented by LDG Datum at the BlastWAVE Conference, and addresses the need for more sophisticated, reliable monitoring solutions in the extractives sector.

“The technology deployment at Tarmac quarries across the UK has demonstrated particularly impressive results, featuring one of the highest concentrations of blast monitoring equipment in any single UK or Ireland project for LDG Datum. This approach replaces traditional manual methods and offers a more comprehensive, data-driven solution for blast impact assessment and mitigation.”

Matthew Marriott, CEO at SOCOTEC UK & Ireland

The final stage of the competition will take place on 22 April 2026, when shortlisted teams will deliver face-to-face presentations to the judging panel. Winners will then be announced at the Ground Engineering Awards ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on 17^th June 2026.

SOCOTEC's partnership with industry leaders and academic institutions on this project demonstrates the company's commitment to advancing technology and safety standards in ground engineering and quarrying operations.