THE Stawell Gold Mine Rescue Team narrowly defeated nine other teams from across the country to win the prestigious Annual Victorian Underground Mine Rescue Competition, held in Bendigo recently.
The participating mine rescue and emergency response teams competed in eight exercises, testing their rescue theory, rescue skills, first aid, breathing apparatus, fire fighting, search and rescue and rope rescue capabilities and qualities.
MCA Assistant Director for Safety and Health, Megan Davison said, “the Underground Mine Rescue Competition provides practical training experience to members of mining operations, encouraging them to apply teamwork to build skills that are vital to any emergency rescue squad.”
“This highly regarded national event is designed to improve the safety and health of all people involved in the mining industry and to provide realistic and practical training to the mine site rescue teams.
“This competition also fostered strong team spirit, competitiveness and good-will among the rescue teams as seen with 190 people attending the presentation last night.
“I congratulate all participating team members for their spirit of competitive good-will and their commitment to mine safety.
“This competition is an important part of the MCA’s health and safety strategy. Our goal of zero fatalities and injuries remains the minerals industry’s top value and commitment,” concluded Davison.
The Annual Victorian Underground Mine Rescue Competition is emerging as a national competition — the competing teams included:
· Ballarat Goldfields — Lihir Limited VIC
· Fosterville Gold Mine – Perseverance Corporation Limited VIC
· Stawell Gold Mine – Perseverance Corporation Limited VIC
· Oscar 1 – Country Fire Authority VIC
· Cadia Valley Operations – Newcrest Mining Limited NSW
· Endeavour – CBH Resources Limited NSW
· Northparkes – Rio Tinto Limited NSW
· Peak Goldmine — Peak Gold Limited NSW
· Perilya Broken Hill — Perilya Limited NSW
· Golden Grove – Oxiana Limited WA