Safety isn’t just about preventative measures; it’s also about having a plan for how to proceed when an emergency arises.

When there is an emergency in a mine, it is imperative action is immediate but also calculated This is why mine rescue teams across the country are trained on how to safely enter a mine during or after a mine fire, explosion, or other disaster to rescue trapped workers, extinguish a fire, and restore the mine to its original safe condition. 

This month, both Manitoba and Ontario held mine rescue competitions, where dedicated teams battled through simulations meant to test and evaluate their ability. 

 Mine Rescue Competitions in Ontario

On May 8-10, more than 20 mine rescue teams across Ontario competed in the district level of the official mine rescue competition in the province. These competitions aim to demonstrate the emergency response skills and knowledge of volunteers from mines across the province, who undergo rigorous training throughout the year.

Organized by Ontario Mine Rescue (OMR), the competitions evaluate teams on firefighting skills, first-aid response, use of emergency equipment, and decision-making ability under stress. Teams also participate in a written theory exam and an assessment of technicians who service vital emergency response equipment. Overall, competitions serve as intensive and educational learning opportunities for the teams, which ensures performance standards are maintained across the board. 

 “We’re always finding new ways to challenge the teams,” said Shawn Rideout, Chief Mine Rescue Officer at Workplace Safety North (WSN). “The scenarios go from extracting casualties trapped in collapses to descending a mine shaft with rope gear. These live-action experiences are the best way to put their knowledge to the test.”

 Eight teams of mine rescue volunteers from Algoma, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, Onaping, Thunder Bay, Red Lake, Timmins, and Southern Ontario emerged victorious in the district competitions. The winners included: 

• Algoma District: Alamos Island Gold Mine

• Sudbury District: Vale West Mine

• Onaping District: Glencore SINO Fraser and Nickel Rim South Mines

• Thunder Bay District: Impala Lac Des Isles Mine

• Red Lake District: Evolution Mining Red Lake Operations

• Timmins District: Lakeshore Gold West Bell Creek Mines

• Kirkland Lake District: Agnico Eagle Macassa Mine

• Southern District: CGC Hagersville Mine

 The eight teams then went on to compete in the Ontario Mine Rescue Provincial Championship took place on June 4-7 at Fort Williams Gardens in Thunder Bay, where the district winners competed for the OMRs coveted gold hardhats. 

Mine rescue competitions concluded at the awards ceremony on Friday. Out of eight teams, Agnico Eagle’s Macassa Mine came out on top – the first provincial
victory for the mine since 1986. Lake Shore Gold Timmins West Bell Creek Mines was runner up. 

“We’re happy to announce that all teams completed the problem safely and successfully,” says Shawn Rideout. “There is only one winner, but in a sense, all volunteers have won something – they all persevered through the problem, learned from it, and are better first responders because of it. At the end of the day, that’s the goal of mine
rescue competitions.”

 Individual Technician Competition winners included: 

• 1st – Dan Rioux, Glencore Sudbury INO Fraser and Nickel Rim South Mines

• 2nd – Kyle Oullette, Alamos Island Gold Mine

• 3rd – Nick Fram, Vale Sudbury West Mines

• Team Special Equipment Award – Canadian Gypsum Corporation Hagersville Mine

• Team First Aid Award – Lake Shore Gold Timmins

• Team Firefighting Award – Lake Shore Gold Timmins

• Briefing Officer Award – Tyler Williams, Lake Shore Gold Timmins

• Team Theory Exam Award – Glencore Sudbury INO

 Ontario Mine Rescue (OMR), a part of Workplace Safety North (WSN), operates under the authority of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. OMR has trained and equipped thousands of volunteers who have fought fires, rescued injured personnel, and responded professionally to a wide variety of incidents in provincial mines over the past eight decades. 

 Manitoba Mine Rescue Competition

On May 24-24, Tanco Mine and the Manitoba Mining Association of Manitoba Inc. (MAMI) hosted the 61st Manitoba Provincial Mine Rescue Competition in Bernic Lake, MB.

More than 24 elite mine rescue personnel went head-to-head to determine the best in the province. This year, the honour went to Team Manitoba, which consisted of Captain Sylvain Amyotte (Tanco), Jacob Vancoughnet (Hudbay), Dean Rainville (Hudbay), Bridget Corriveau (Vale), Vice-Captain Frank Bushby (Vale), and Director of Operations Len Bellin (Tanco). Team Hudbay finished second.

Team Manitoba’s accomplishments were especially impressive, considering the members were only assembled just prior to the competition. In a press release, MAMI stated that the results were a true testament to the quality of training for the benefit of mutual aid between mines.

MAMI President and Mine Rescue Competition Co-chair Stacy Kennedy saluted all the teams, “The competition showcases the dedication, intense training and preparedness of the men and women on our industry and the quality of our program here in Manitoba.” She added, “I’d match our Mine Rescue event and our teams against anyone in the world.”

“I am never surprised by the skills of the men and women who play such a critical role in our industry,” said Richard Trudeau, MAMI Vice President and Mine Rescue Coordinator Co-chair

The theme of this year’s event was First In, Last Out. Over two days, competitors were challenged in several areas including a mock underground rescue and first aid incident, firefighting, a written exam, and tactical skills. 

Trudeau, who is retiring after more than 37 years in mining, added: “The commitment of our teams is humbling, and I am very proud to have been involved in the program
all these years.”

Judges for the underground scenario were Neil Spencer of Spencer Consulting and Training and Jamie Mortson of Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd. Each are highly experienced, certified independent Manitoba mine rescue instructors.

Next year’s Manitoba Mine Rescue Competition is slated for May 23-24, 2025 in Thompson, MB, hosted by Vale – Manitoba Operations.