Games demonstrate mine rescue capability
Emergency response crews from across Victoria, NSW and Tasmania descended on Costerfield and Heathcote over the weekend to take part in the Victorian Mine Rescue Competition.
In one of the largest annual mine safety training exercises in Australia, Fosterville gold mine took out the top honours as best overall emergency rescue team after completing two days of six challenging simulated emergency scenarios.
Teams competed in simulated scenarios that tested critical aspects of emergency response including underground rescue skills, firefighting, first aid and technical rope rescue.
Organised by MCA Victoria this important event has gone from strength to strength over three decades, with Fosterville gold mine taking out this year’s best overall emergency rescue team category.
Cornwall Coal came in second place and Stawell Gold Mine in third place.
An important part of the competition is to support inter-agency collaboration across emergency response agencies including Victoria Police, CFA and Ambulance Victoria.
The competition is a critical part of the mining industry’s efforts to support highly trained rescue personnel now in its 32nd year.