Rescue teams from mines across Victoria and New South Wales took part in the 30th Minerals Council of Australia’s (MCA) Victoria Mine Rescue Competition (VMRC) on 20-22 October in Stawell.
The MCA congratulated all competitors on their efforts and thanked all volunteers, adjudicators, sponsors and host mine Stawell Gold Mines for making the competition possible.
VMRC is a major annual safety training exercise for mine emergency response teams organised by the MCA.
The competition is a critical part of the mining industry’s efforts to support highly trained rescue personnel.
Eight teams competed in a variety of simulated emergency situations to test and train mine rescue teams as part of the Victorian mining industry’s commitment to safety.
Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville Gold Mine won best overall at the event, followed by Mandalay’s Costerfield Operations in second place and CSA Cobar in third place.
The simulated exercises help prepare mines for any emergencies on site by putting their skills to the test and also providing an event for mine rescue teams and emergency services to share their knowledge and experience.
An important part of the competition is the involvement of emergency response agencies including Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria to build links and preparedness with the mine rescue community.
2023 Victorian Mine Rescue Competition full results:
Overall
1st: Fosterville Gold Mine
2nd: Mandalay Resources Costerfield Operations
3rd: CFA Cobar
Winning Team Captain – CSA Cobar – Dean Hodges
Winning Team – Overall Safety – CFA Oscar 1
Fire Exercise – CFA Oscar 1
First Aid – Central VIC Mine Rescue Group
Ropes Exercise – CSA Cobar
Underground Search and Rescue – Fosterville Gold Mine
Skills Exercise – Mandalay Resources Costerfield Operation
Theory – Central VIC Mine Rescue Group
Road Crash Rescue – CSA Cobar
