The 56th Annual Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition brought together provincial mine rescue and first aid teams on June 11, 2011. The competition simulated real life situations and tested skills in first aid, extrication, firefighting, rope work and general mine rescue knowledge.

Teck Coal Elkview Operations took the Overall Surface Mine Rescue Trophy and New Afton- New Gold Inc. was presented the Overall Underground Mine Rescue Trophy.

For the first time this year the Chief Inspector's Recognition Award for an Outstanding Act in Health and Safety was presented to the Teck Highland Valley Copper Partnership Mine Rescue Team. The award recognizes a real-life rescue.

In 2007, the Highland Valley team attended an accident at the Pavillion mine near Cache Creek. An excavator operator at the Pavillion mine was buried under 10 metres of rock when the wall adjacent to him collapsed. Some 13 hours after the excavator was buried, the mine rescue team extricated the operator through the cab's escape hatch. He was rescued with only a few scratches and bruises.

The Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition and the Annual Mine Safety Awards recognize the dedication of an industry committed to health and safety best practices across the province.

Quick Facts:

• Under the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in B.C., all mines are required to provide emergency response capability.
• The mining industry's commitment to safety is reflected in its numbers. As of 2010, the industry had an injury rate of 1.8 for major open pit and underground mines combined.
• This is one of the lowest rates in heavy industry.

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Jake Jacobs
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0628
250 213-6934 (cell)

BACKGROUNDER

Provincial Mine Rescue and First Competition Winners

Three-Person Miners' First Aid Trophy:

Quinsam Coal Corporation

Kathy Lofstrom Memorial Trophy (best coach for three-person first aid):

Matt Vooro

Ron Brow Memorial Award (best extrication for surface team):

Huckleberry Mines Ltd.

Maurice Boisse Memorial Trophy (best bench for surface team):

Teck Coal Elkview Operations

HVC Highest Non Aggregate Points Trophy:

Huckleberry Mines Ltd.

Best Bench Technician Trophy:

Kevin Mihalicz

USWA Mine Mine-Mill Trophy (best underground co-ordinator):

Peter Prochotsky

Sullivan Cup (best first aid by underground team):

Myra Falls Operation NVI Mining Ltd.

Barry Abbott Memorial Trophy (best bench for underground team):

New Afton- New Gold Inc.

Keith Bracewell Memorial Award (best obstacle and recovery):

New Afton- New Gold Inc.

Contact:

Jake Jacobs
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0628
250 213-6934 (cell)