Preparing for summer season

The Fortescue Solomon mine rescue team getting some valuable firefighting practice in leading up to summer at the Mining Emergency Response Competition.

MERC competitors do their best to prepare for the worst

After Australia’s tough start to the summer bushfire season, mining and other work sites are taking it upon themselves to prepare for the worst if it unfortunately happens.

With workers often hundreds of kilometres from a hospital, or deep underground, knowing first aid skills and how to react in an emergency situation is vital.

The ninth annual Mining Emergency Response Competition (MERC) ran concurrently with the Bushfire Games for the first time in November, giving teams a chance to improve their firefighting skills.

It also focussed on the more familiar mine risks, including first aid, hazardous materials, confined space rescue, vertical rescue, road crash rescue and team readiness.

MERC attracted a large crowd of spectators at Langley Park in Perth to watch the 14 volunteer emergency response teams compete fiercely while improving their skills.

Chief adjudicator Richard Crawford, from Fortescue Metal Group’s Christmas Creek operation, says the firefighting scenario is always a crowd favourite at the event, making it great to have the Bushfire Games happening at the same time.

“This year’s firefighting scenario really pressed the teams,” Crawford tells Safeto Work.

“Multiple fires were lit and fought over a 15 to 20-minute period and teams wearing breathing apparatus’ were required to demonstrate hose and branch management whilst attending totwo casualties.

“Of the 14 teams that competed in this event, I can say that every member finished with a solid bead of sweat across their forehead and a smile across their face.” AS MINE SITES ARE OFTEN IN REMOTE AREAS, THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS LIKE BUSHFIRES IS POTENTIALLY HIGHER AND HELP IS USUALLY A LOT FURTHER AWAY. SALOMAE HASELGROVE WRITES.

The victorious Synergy Muja Power team.

Crawford says MERC also values the mental health of workers as highly as them being physically safe at work.

“The best advice I can give miners to improve safety is look after yourself both mentally and physically,” Crawford says.

“Look after your mates and speak up if you feel that something is ‘not right’ and get advice from your leader.”

The MERC values are continually upskilling, training to competition,

prevention effectiveness and community engagement, which Crawford says is upheld by all participants, none more so than the volunteers.

Emergency response (ER) teams and bush fire brigades (BFBs) not only participated in the competition but offered valuable advice for mining teams from their areas of expertise.

“All ER teams are winners,” Crawford says. “Taking a step forward and wanting to learn a new skill to help someone in need of assistance – these are the people who make a difference.

“These are the people we rely on in remote areas in the unfortunate need of assistance.”

In 2019, the competition expanded further with its first international team travelling from Indonesia to participate.

Tikush Tana rescue squad from Freeport McMoRan Indonesia took out the first aid category of the competition and also cheered on the Australian teams with great spirit, sparking hopes MERC will attract more international teams in future years.

“The Indonesian team really stepped up to the plate and competed strongly against the other teams,” Crawford says.

“They were always happy and smiling and giving the thumbs up, walking past all who cheered and verbally supported their team.

“With the Indonesian team’s involvement this year, I’m sure the prospect of other competing teams will be discussed.”

MERC, a not-for-profit organisation that helps mine and emergency

The vertical rescue event at the Mining Emergency Response Competition in Perth.

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Indonesia’s Tikush Tana team takes part in the confined space competition at the Mining Emergency Response Competition.

services workers to improve their safety skills, raised more than $330,000 for charity with the event.

The 2019 MERC event supported the Fiona Wood Foundation, Royal Flying Doctor Service and Holyoake’s ‘My Wellbeing App’, which were all presented cheques at the gala awards following the competition.

Crawford says the charities are chosen for the support they provide mine workers and their families at all levels of the industry.

“The charities chosen are key areas that personnel have access to when needed in the event of additional support for both family and personal levels,” Crawford explains.

“The mining and resource sectors are massive in Western Australia and across to the eastern states and the MERC support charities integrate through all levels, from site employee assistance programs to national health centres.”

Western Australian Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston praised the event, particularly the focus on its chosen charities.

“The McGowan Government is proud to support the MERC because safety is one of our highest priorities,” Johnston said.

“It’s terrific that proceeds raised by competing teams and sponsors will be donated to local charities.”

And what were the judges looking for in a winning team? It is not just the best strength or bravery that they’re after.

“As adjudicators, we look for team cohesiveness, communication, the ability to conduct a task under pressure to a high standard and to improvise, adapt and overcome when needed,” Crawford says.

As MERC turns 10 in 2020, organisers are already making plans for a special event to celebrate a decade of upskilling workers and volunteers, to be best prepared should the worst happen.

2019 MERC winners

Overall winning team: Synergy Muja Power

Overall breathing apparatus: Newmont Goldcorp Boddington

Overall first aid: Newmont Goldcorp Boddington

Team safety: Synergy Muja Power

Best captain: Cameron Bourne, Synergy Muja Power

Best medic: Nick Haywood, Newmont Goldcorp Boddington

Road crash: Newmont Goldcorp Boddington

Hazmat: Fortescue Metals Group Christmas Creek Vertical rescue: Synergy Muja Power

Firefighting: Synergy Muja Power

Confined space: Synergy Muja Power

First aid: Tikush Tana rescue squad, Freeport McMoRan Indonesia

CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

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UNDERGROUND OPERATORS 2020, PERTH, MARCH 25-27 SLOPE STABILITY CONFERENCE, PERTH, MAY 12-14 MINExpo INTERNATIONAL, LAS VEGAS, SEPTEMBER 28-30

AusIMM will bring together mining engineers, mine operators, technical service managers and consultants to the Underground Operators Conference in 2020. This conference will set the benchmark for sharing underground operational experiences and industry best practice. Underground Operators 2020 will answer the pressing issues presented by deposits that are getting deeper or lower in grade, and operators facing increased pressure to find smarter and more cost-effective ways to extract orebodies. The key discussion topics for this conference will be centred around the evolution of digital technologies, automation and artificial intelligence, and how these innovations are providing solutions to challenges found underground. • undergroundoperators.ausimm.com

MEGATRANS, MELBOURNE, APRIL 1-3

MEGATRANS returns in 2020 as an important industry event, facilitating cross-industry collaboration in a multidimensional and integrated conference and exhibition for the freight and logistics industry. For the first time, MEGATRANS2020 will take place in conjunction with the specialised bulk handling expo, Australian Bulk Handling Expo 2020. The two events will be held side-by-side, with one ticket entry into both exhibitions. MEGATRANS2020 will showcase the latest in artificial intelligence, robotics, automated racking, telematics and route optimisation, warehouse automation, intelligent fleet systems, blockchain, Internet of Things, big data and advanced analytics. • megatrans.com.au One of the world’s leading Slope Stability Conferences, ‘Slope Stability 2020’ will return to Perth in 2020. The Slope Stability Conference will provide a forum for open pit mining and civil engineering practitioners, consultants, researchers and suppliers worldwide to exchange views on best practice and state-of-the-art slope stability technologies. The 2020 Slope Stability Conference will explore best practices with respect to pit slope investigations, design and implementation. Performance monitoring will be discussed during the symposium. Experts will analyse the principles that underlie the most frequently used computational methods and some less common but accurate methods. • slopestability2020.com

MINE WASTE AND TAILINGS STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, JULY 28-30

The 2020 Mine Waste and Tailings Conference aims to be the benchmark for sharing knowledge and experience on mine waste and tailings management, sustainable practice and closure in Australia and the rest of the world. The conference holds its relevance as the majority of the world’s future minerals will come from low-grade, hightonnage and ultra-mechanised operations. As higher production of waste rock and tailings is expected, mining systems will require reengineering. This event will cover all aspects of life cycle waste rock and tailings management, from site selection and design to post-closure care. The two-day conference will feature a number of keynote speakers, four expert panel discussions covering key current themes, and paper presentations. • tailings.ausimm.com MINExpo International is the world’s largest and most comprehensive global mining event. Held every four years, it brings together worldwide industry leaders who are ready to purchase the latest equipment and services, see innovative new technologies, meet face-to-face with vendors and make valuable new connections. The expo brings together all of the latest cutting-edge equipment, innovations, services and technologies to take your operations to a new level and fuel long-term growth. MINExpo attendees have the buying power and influence to purchase the equipment, products and services that are brought to the show. In three days, meet thousands of operators from all over the world in one place. • minexpo.com

IMARC, MELBOURNE, OCT 27-29

The seventh International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) will connect over 7000 decision makers, mining leaders, policy makers, technical experts, innovators and educators from over 100 countries. The four-day conference will give plenty of opportunities for learning, deal making and unparalleled networking, while also facilitating exhibitions and workshops. As Australia’s largest mining conference, the IMARC program will cover the entire mining supply chain and explore numerous topics, such as exploration, plant and processing, social licence, workforce attraction and retention and mine optimisation. More than 400 global mining companies participated in IMARC 2019, setting off strong momentum for the 2020 conference. • imarcmelbourne.com

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W h e n y o u c a n ’ t f i n d y o u r w a y o u t ?

... you’ve got mates in mining.

One in five Australians will suffer mental health problems such as anxiety and depression in any year. The mining sector is no different. That’s why the Minerals Council of Australia supports organisations that share our commitment to better workplace mental health. MATES in Mining helps miners to identify problems early in others and themselves and take steps to get help. The program has been rolled out at around 15 mine sites across the country following pilots at Glencore’s Clermont and Glendell mines. Learn more about MATES in Mining by emailing info@matesinmining.org.au. If you or someone you know is going through a tough time contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.