Yellowknife, NT (June 7, 2017) – The Mine Rescue Competition of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut celebrates 60 years of mine rescue this year, with the public event to take place on Saturday, June 10th. The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut invites Northerners to witness the challenges mine rescue teams encounter, as they strive for excellence during the 60th Annual Mine Rescue Competition.
The competition takes place on Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10. The WSCC invites the public to catch the action on Saturday, June 10, at the Yellowknife Multiplex/Fieldhouse Parking Lots from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The competition coincides with the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines’ Miner’s Picnic from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, which is held at the same location and is also free to the public. Colouring stations, games with prizes, and face-painting activities will round out the event, making the day a family-friendly weekend affair.
Mines from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and beyond will compete for the Overall Surface and Overall Underground Trophies. Eight teams from seven mines are participating this year: Diavik Diamond Mine (Rio Tinto Ltd.); Ekati Diamond Mine (Dominion Diamond Corporation); Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine (De Beers Canada Inc.); Hope Bay Gold Mine (TMAC Resources Inc.); Meadowbank Gold Mine (Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.); Meliadine Gold Project (Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.); and Victor Diamond Mine from Ontario (De Beers Canada Inc.).
Mine rescue competitions allow mines to evaluate and compare the effectiveness and quality of their mine rescue training programs. Teams participate in the spirit of competition and collaboration to understand how other teams work, while testing their own mine rescue skills.
Skill competitions this year include Written Test, Fire Fighting, Surface Practical Bench, Underground Bench, Surface and Underground Smoke and Obstacle, Rope Rescue (Surface & Underground), First Aid (Surface & Underground), and Surface Rescue. Judges evaluate each event, which range from safety equipment checks to simulated disasters.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Walker
Manager, Communications
Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission
Northwest Territories and Nunavut
T: (867) 920-3846