Mine rescue teams from throughout British Columbia came together this past weekend in Kimberley to test their mettle in the 63rd-annual Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition.

“Each and every day, the professional mine safety and rescue personnel at British Columbia’s mines play a critical role in keeping workers safe and making mining one of the safest heavy industries in B.C.,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “Thank you to all of the women and men who participated in this year’s Mine Rescue and First Aid competition, and congratulations to this year’s winners.”

The Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition, held annually since the 1950s, pits teams of mine safety and rescue professionals from around the province against one another in head-to-head competitions involving simulated mine rescue situations.

The competition provides mine rescue teams with an intensive learning opportunity and a chance to test their emergency response capabilities against one another. This annual event ensures that British Columbia’s mine rescue teams are trained to the same high standards, and highlights the B.C. mining industry’s commitment to health-and-safety best practices.

With assistance from a variety of sponsors and volunteers, the Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition, hosted by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, provides an opportunity for teams to practice and showcase their skills, and to learn from one another – knowledge that is vital in real rescue situations.

Through the ongoing co-operative efforts of mine employees, mine management, unions and regulators, mining continues to be one of the safest heavy industries in B.C.

Mine rescue has existed in B.C. to assist in mine emergencies since 1909.

Under the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia, all mines are required to provide emergency response capabilities. This requirement has made the B.C. mining industry a worldwide model for mine rescue practices.

Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition award winners

John T Ryan National Mine Safety Award: New Gold Inc – New Afton Mine (regional winner for BC Yukon metal mines division);

Chief inspectors Award (Team): Orica Sand and Gravel;

Chief inspectors Award (Individual): Kelly Miller;

Underground Mine Rescue:

Best Bench Technician Trophy: Dave Heathfield – Sullivan Mine;
USWA Mine Mill Trophy (Best Underground Coordinator): Travis Murphy, Bruce Jack;
Richard Booth Award (Best written score for Underground Team): New Afton;
Sullivan Cup (Best First Aid by Underground Team): New Afton;
Barry Abbott Memorial Trophy (Best Underground Practical Skills): New Afton;
Best Performance in Underground Smoke: New Afton;
Keith Bracewell Memorial Award (Best Obstacle and Recovery): Silvertip;
Levitt Safety Fire Trophy (Underground): Bruce Jack;
Overall Underground winner: New Afton.

Three Person Miners’ First Aid:

Three Person First Aid (Best three-person team): Line Creek;
Kathy Lofstrom Memorial Trophy (Best three-person coach): Sandy Duncan – Line Creek.

Open Pit Mine Rescue:

Ron Brown Memorial (Best Extrication for Surface Team): Gibraltar;
Maurice Boisse Memorial Trophy (Best Practical Bench Skills): Highland Valley Copper;
Levitt Fire Trophy: Highland Valley Copper;
East Kootenay Mines Industrial Safety Association Trophy (Best Written): Line Creek;
North South Central First Aid Trophy (Best First Aid): Highland Valley Copper;
EKMISA Best Surface Rope Task Sponsored by TNT Work and Rescue – Highland Valley Copper;
HVC Highest non-aggregate points: Highland Valley Copper;
Overall surface mine rescue winner (Highest aggregate Best Overall): Highland Valley Copper.

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