12th Biennial National Western Regional
MINE RESCUE COMPETITION September 11 - 12, 2015
September 11th - Underground Competition @ Fernie Memorial Arena September 12th - Surface Competition @ Fernie Public Works Yard
cue Class Fernie Mine Res
1913 Fernie Mine Rescue Competition 2013
2015 marks 100 years since the first Regional Mine Rescue Competition in the Elk Valley held in Fernie and is the 60th Anniversary of the Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition Cover Photos Courtesy: Teck - Henry Georgi and Fernie & District Historical Society
the mine rescue comp l l a o t etito ck u l d rs! Goo 6165 Brenners Road, Fernie
Associated with Legacy Auto Group
YOUR HOME TOWN TEAM
New extended hours to serve you better. Monday - Thursday till 7 pm Friday till 6 pm And Saturday till 5 pm
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12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
THE FREE PRESS Thursday, September 10, 2015
Welcome to the 12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
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n behalf of Council and the City of Fernie I want to extend a warm welcome to participating teams from Canada and the USA. A sincere welcome goes also to supportive family members, assistants, volunteers, special guests and organizers of this outstanding event. Fernie is proud to host once again, particularly on this special year, being the 100th anniversary of Mine Rescue Competition in Fernie and the Elk Valley and also the 60th anniversary for Provincial Mine Rescue Competitions. These anniversaries have been reached due to the commitment and dedication employed into training and education by present and past competitors and participants. We thank you for this unceasing determination to be ready to assist in case of a mine rescue event. We also acknowledge the continuous support of sponsors over the years. Again, welcome, good luck, and enjoy your time in Fernie. Mary Giuliano Mayor
PARTICIPATING TEAMS 12th Biennial National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition SURFACE 2015 BC Teck Highland Valley Copper Teck Elkview Operations
Logan Lake Sparwood
Alta
Teck Cardinal River Operations Shell Albian Sands
Hinton Fort McMurray
Sask
Mosaic Potash Belle Plaine Westmore Coal - Poplar River
Regina Coronach
NWT
Dominion Diamond Ekati
Yellowknife
Yukon
Capstone Mining/Minto Mine
Whitehorse
USA
North Antelope Rochelle Solvay
Gillette, Wyoming Green River, Wyoming
UNDERGROUND 2015 BC
New Gold New Afton
Kamloops
Sask
Mosaic Potash Colonsay Mosaic Potash Esterhazy
Colonsay Ezterhazy
Man Ont
Hudbay
Flin Flon
Alamos Gold Inc. Young-Davidson
Northern Ontario
NWT
De Beers Canada Ltd. Diavik Diamond Mines Dominion Diamond Ekati
Yellowknife Yellowknife Yellowknife
The Fernie Chamber of Commerce, and select members, are proud to offer great promotions to the NWRMRC competitors and guests through the 'Members to Miners' discount program.
Welcome to Fernie and best of luck! Brought to you by the
www.ferniechamber.com
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12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
Teck Elkview Operations
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lk Valley locals Elkview Operations are no strangers to high-level mine rescue competition. Between them, the Sparwood team members have more than 65 years mine rescue experience, and have won a total 16 Zone Championships, 11 Provincial Championships and four Western Regional Championships. The Teck coal operation qualified for this year’s National Western Region Competition by winning the 2014 B.C. Provincial competition in Smithers. The 2015 team members are Dan Oliver (Captain), Steve Kallies (Vice Captain), Zane Neal, Matt Peterson, Trevor Fairweather, Cory Robinson, Shane Weed and coaches Brent Roberts and Spring Bolton. Outside their work duties, they are all current or past members of their community volunteer fire department or search and rescue team, and have devoted hundreds of hours of their own time to train for the mine rescue competition. Coach Brent Roberts said: “We are all looking forward to putting our training into practice, especially as this competition is on home ground for us so we will hopefully see a lot of family and friends coming out to support us. “On behalf of the team, I would like to give a big thank you to Teck, Elkview Operations management, support staff from Elkview Mine Rescue, and all employees from Elkview who have supported us to get this far. “The other four Teck operations in the Elk Valley have also been very supportive, allowing us to train with them ahead of the competition.” Teck’s Elkview Operations General Manager Don Sander added: “Everyone at Elkview is extremely proud of our mine rescue. These guys are very skilled and dedicated to rescue. We wish them luck in the competition and will be cheering them on.”
Safety is at Our Core Teck’s goal is everyone going home safe and healthy every day, and our mine rescue teams play a crucial role in achieving this vision. Welcome to all competitors and their supporters at the 2015 National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition, which marks 100 years of mine rescue competitions in the Elk Valley. Teck is proud to have three teams competing in this year’s event from our Elkview, Cardinal River and Highland Valley Copper Operations. Good luck to all the competitors.
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12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
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Teck Cardinal River Operations
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(Left to right): Mike Greenlay, Christian Couture, Chris Race (Vice Captain), Jarod Miller, Shane Taylor (Captain), Cody Inman and Kevin Osborne.
ardinal River Operations Mine Rescue team is excited and ready to make a mark on their first National West Region Mine Rescue Competition. The Hinton-based coal operation qualified by taking second place overall in the 2015 Alberta Provincial competition, which was held in Spruce Grove, Alberta. The team members are Shane Taylor (Captain), Chris Race (Vice Captain), Cody Inman, Jarod Miller, Michael Greenlay, Kevin Osborne and Christian Couture and the coaches for the regional competition are Tom Heidler and Cyndi van Alphen. Coach Cyndi van Alphen said they are a relatively new team; in 2014 Shane Taylor took over the Captain position and his leadership has been exemplary in keeping all members safe and on task. She added: “Over the years, we’ve had some tremendously knowledgeable coaches who have added their unique touches to the training of this team. Tom Heidler and I hope to tap into that muscle memory of those specific styles and allow the team to flourish and naturally unfold as it should. “We are all looking forward to seeing this team compete against the best of the best, including two of our sister operations from Teck Elkview Operations from Sparwood and Highland Valley Copper from near Kamloops. “Our ace in the hole is that there are no expectations for us rookies – we just have to do our best and have fun doing it; the rest will look after itself. “We are so thankful for the support and opportunities given to us by Teck, the management at Cardinal River Operations, staff and our families. They have allowed us time away from daily duties in order to train and supported us as we learn and absorb all of this new information. We couldn’t do it without you - thank you.” Cardinal River Operations General Manager Matt Cole added: “I am very proud of the team’s success this year, and on behalf of everyone at Cardinal River I would like to wish them good luck for the competition.”
Mayor McKerracher, Council and the District of Elkford Staff would like to congratulate all participants of the 12th Biennial National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition!
Coal of the wild.
12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
Welcome NWRMRC to Fernie from the Chamber of Commerce and Business Community
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elcome competitors and guests of The National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition (NWRMRC). Fernie is excited and grateful that every other year this event comes to our corner of the world. Our small town of approximately 5000 residents offers a quaint atmosphere that will welcome you like an old friend. As you visit Fernie, we invite you to take in a number of our summer recreational activities including golfing, hiking, biking, and world-class fly-fishing. Don’t worry if you didn’t bring a rod or a bike, there are a number of guides to take you down the river or bike shops to rent the latest gear. Please stop by the Downtown Visitor Center located in the Fernie Museum at 491 2nd Ave. for more details on what to do while in town.
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Previous competition winners 1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
We are extremely proud of our city and all it has to offer. We are also honoured to welcome the NWRMRC participants. The first mine rescue competition in Fernie was held July 1st, 1915 on the site of the current city hall. Now, 100 years later, we are still welcoming competitors to showcase their skills and promote mine safety. As an old mining town, thank you for all you do.
2005
The Fernie Chamber of Commerce welcomes all participants who dedicate their time to improving mine safety. Please enjoy your stay and come back to visit sometime soon.
2009
Best wishes and good luck to all. Patty Vadnais Executive Director, Fernie Chamber of Commerce
2007
2011
2013
Surface Overall Winners
Underground Overall Winners
Syncrude Canada,
Echo Bay Mines,
Alberta
Obed Mountain Coal Limited,
Cominco Sullivan Mine,
Saskatchewan
IMC Kalium Canada Limited,
Eskay Creek Mine,
Saskatchewan
Team 402 Syncrude Canada Limited,
Cominco Polaris Mine,
Alberta
Highland Valley Copper,
Boliden Westmin Mine,
British Columbia
North West Territories
British Columbia
British Columbia
North West Territories
British Columbia
Highland Valley Copper,
Miramar Con/Giant Mines Ltd.,
British Columbia
North West Territories
Highland Valley Copper,
NVI Myra Falls Operations,
British Columbia
British Columbia
Fording River Operations,
Mosaic Colonsay Potash Mine,
Saskatchewan
British Columbia
Highland Valley Copper,
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc,
British Columbia
North West Territories
Teck Coal - Elkview Operations,
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
British Columbia
North WestTerritories
Teck Coal - Coal Mountain Operations,
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
British Columbia
North WestTerritories
d L u ck o o G to all Mine Rescue Competitors 792 2nd Avenue, Fernie ~ 250-423-4607 2-101 Red Cedar Dr., Sparwood ~ 250-425-6489
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Diavik Diamond Mines
12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
General Schedule of Events: the competitions will be held over three days: Thursday, September 10, 2015
(Left to right): Richard Kretzschmar (coach), Craig Archibald (coordinator), George Larocque, Glenn McGuire, Nathan Pitre (captain), Angus Maxwell, Jared MacInnis (vice-captain) and Bryan Grimwood.
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iavik is located 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Canada’s largest diamond mine, Diavik is located on a 20 square kilometre island called East Island and is surrounded by the waters of Lac de Gras. The mine, a joint venture of Rio Tinto and Dominion Diamond Corporation, includes four diamond bearing ore bodies known as kimberlite pipes. Open-pit mining began in 2003, and in 2012, Diavik safely and successfully completed its transition to an all underground mine. In 2015 Diavik started construction of a third rockfill water retention dike to mine its fourth pipe, the A21 orebody. A21 will commence open pit production in 2018. Located on the subarctic tundra, just 220 kilometres from the Arctic Circle, Diavik flies workers to its island-based mine. Annual resupply is via a winter ice road which is open from February through March. To power the remote mine site, Diavik operates the world’s largest wind-diesel hybrid power facility. Diavik’s wind farm is lowering the mine’s carbon footprint and reducing its reliance on diesel fuel. Visit diavik.ca for more information. Diavik’s emergency response team is comprised of 70 volunteers from all departments on the mine site.
• Underground Captain and Coaches Meeting Annex Room, Memorial Arena, 4:00pm • Registration and Casual Social Community Centre, 4:30 – 8:00pm • Surface Captain and Coaches Meeting Meeting Room Community Centre, 5:00pm • All Judges, Guides and Patients Annex Room Memorial Arena, 5:00pm (for U/G) • Escort Tour , Underground Arena Site, 5:30pm • All Judges, Guides and Patients Meeting Meeting room in Community Centre, 6:00pm
Friday, September 11, 2015 Underground Mine Rescue Competition Tasks • Fernie Memorial Arena - 991 – 6th Ave/Hwy #3, 6:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday, September 12, 2015 Surface Mine Rescue Competition Tasks • Public Works Yard - 501-3rd Avenue, Fernie, 6:00am – 5:00pm Underground Technician Competition Tasks • Curling Club 901 6th Avenue/Hwy #3, 9:00am – 5:00pm • Banquet/Presentations/Dance Fernie Memorial Arena 991 – 6th Ave/Hwy #3 6:00 – 11:30pm
Good luck to all competing teams in the 12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
Good luck to all competitors! Sparwood Husky
Fernie Mountain Lodge 121 Aspen Dr, Sparwood, BC 250-425-6544
250-423-5500 • Toll Free: 1-866-423-5566 www.bestwesternfernie.com Each Best Western hotel is independently owned and operated
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Outdoor Hot Tub Indoor Pool & Hot Tub Fitness Room Kitchenettes Suites 100% Smoke Free Free Wi-Fi Banquet & Meeting Facility Complimentary Breakfast Boston Pizza Liquor Store Massage Studio Car Rental Pet Friendly
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Dominion Diamond Ekati Corp.
Mosaic Potash Colonsay
Underground Team (black hats), from left to right: -Peter Devolder, Dave Heathfield, Ryan Devolder, Gord Zdyb, Branden Wallis. Front: Randy Zdebiak, Ryan Erickson. Surface Team (blue hats), from left to right: Gordon Frowen, Darryl Klochko, Don Hebden, Keith Winship, David English. Front: Tom Smith, Geoff Kinder, Dave Squires.
(Left to right): Rob Elliott, Derek Frank (captain), Steve Drigan, Steve Diehl, Billy Hamilton, Scott Condliffe (vice-captain), Greg Mensch.
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osaic Colonsay, a potash company based in Colonsay, Saskatchewan, is proud to send a team to compete in the 2015 National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition.
With over 600 employees, we take pride in the men and women who volunteer with the Colonsay Emergency Response program and help in making Colonsay a safe workplace.
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he Ekati Diamond Mine (named after the Tlicho word meaning ‘fat lake’) is Canada’s first surface and underground diamond mine. It officially began production in October 1998, following extensive exploration and development work dating back to 1981. The Ekati mine site is located in the Lac de Gras region of the Northwest Territories, approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife. The Ekati mine, owned and operated by Dominion Diamond Corporation, is a remote fly in fly out site, with approximately 1400 site based employees working various rotations ranging from four days to two weeks on site. Ekati relies solely on their site based volunteer emergency response team for all emergencies on site. The Ekati ERT is comprised of approximately 90 volunteer members, with nearly a third residing at a remote site named ‘Misery’, located 30 kms from the main mine site. The Ekati ERT is a diverse team, with members from nearly all site departments and contractors. ERT members are on call 24hrs a day for the duration of their work rotation.
TOGETHER WE SHINE Ekati Emergency Response Team The Emergency Response Team at the Ekati Mine is a dedicated team of employees who put their lives on the line to protect our workforce during emergencies. These individuals volunteer and devote an extensive amount of time, constantly expending their skills and knowledge, to handle real-life situations if called upon. Dominion Diamond is proud of all employees at the Ekati Diamond Mine who have a passion for new challenges and take pride in a job well done. We would like to thank our colleagues for their hard work, dedication and commitment to learning Mine Rescue principles and skills. They’ve shown they have what it takes to be a part of a team, to work together to meet challenges and to get the job done. Dominion Diamond would like to wish our Ekati Emergency Response Team all the best in the 2015 Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition.
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12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
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Fernie Mine Rescue Competition National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition September 11 - 12, 2015 For those unfamiliar with mine rescue it is a great opportunity to learn about this most necessary work. Mine rescue team members are your neighbours; they are sometimes the first person to come upon an accident. You may not know, but you are in good hands. Teams from Canada and northwestern US compete in five categories: first aid, fire and smoke simulation, rope task and a written exam. Competitors put in many hours of training to develop their skills and come together as a team. Since beginning in 1993, 2015 is the twelfth biennial meeting of this competition but it is also the100th anniversary of competitions in the Elk Valley and the 60th of mine rescue provincial competitions. Competitions have always been a part of mine rescue. The earliest well-documented demonstration of mine rescue was held at Forbes Field at Pittsburgh on 30 and 31 October 1911. The task of the team was to enter the test mine and find and remove for treatment, three injured miners.
In British Columbia, the Annual Reports of the Department of Mines mention first aid competitions held at various locations – the first in Fernie was held on July 1st, 1915 on the grounds of today’s city hall.
This was a big event in Fernie with citizens of all ages and sizes seen wending their way to the centre of attraction, and by 2:30 every point of vantage was taken by deeply interested spectators. Mr. B. Caulfield explained the process for the day to all and recognized the support of the Provincial Department of Mines. Eleven teams competed, four from Fernie and Michel and three from Coal Creek. There were three scenarios. The first involved a miner hurt in an explosion resulting in various broken bones and other injuries. Teams were instructed to “treat patient as you see best and place on stretcher.” The second consisted of administering artificial respiration after the patient had been submerged for five minutes. The final test was, after treating a patient hurt underground, placing him on a stretcher and transporting him to the surface. This involved moving him around
the Coal Company grounds out into the road, coming back into the grounds by passing him over the fence and over a series of obstacles, and finally taking the patient up the front stairs and into the office.
After all teams finished, the four judges found the teams were very well matched and took a long time to determine final placing. In the end team number 10 headed by Joe Hamer from Fernie came first with the team receiving the $50 prize. Second and third places were too close and it was decided that the prize would become combined and $25 would go to Harrison’s team from Coal Creek and J. Stacey’s team from Michel. The day ended with a free concert in the Grand Theatre. There were similar competitions in other mining areas in the province. Provincial Department of Mines Instructor in First aid Dudley Michell, reported the following 1915 results on the work of organizing first aid centres and training persons in the use of mine-rescue apparatus in the various coal and metalliferous mines of the Province.
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“During the year over 700 miners attended first-aid lectures at the various mines of the Province. The net results show that 301 men passed final examination in first-aid work and were awarded various grades of certificates by the St. John Ambulance Association. The actual number of men finishing the course may be placed at 450. The difference between the total number of men attending the lectures and the number passing final examinations is due to various causes, some of which are: Failure to pass examinations, class completing lectures but not examined, class disbanded, and lack of interest; all of which causes have retarded the results.
”
I regret to say that the results obtained from the metal-mines are not as good as were to be expected.
In 1916 the cost of operating the Fernie Mine Rescue Station was documented at $2,250.02. The instructor’s salary was $1,200 with $670.02 for equipment supplies which accounted for most of the costs. The next mine rescue competition in the Crow’s Nest area was held in Coleman, Alberta on Dominion Day 1916. Fernie hosted its first competition on Labour Day the next year, although it wasn’t until the formation of the East Kootenay Mine Safety Association in 1919 that competitions became more widespread and regular. The rescue team from Fernie also competed outside the local area. At an international event held at Nanaimo in 1919, it placed third, surpassed only by two teams from the United States.
The fiftieth annual report of the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company in 1946 featured a photograph of the Elk River Colliery (Coal Creek) Mine Rescue team. Since its introduction in 1915 mine rescue competitions have continued and gained in popularity. In 1955 the Mine Safety Associations in the different centres of the Province, sponsored by the Department of Mines continued to promote mine rescue, first aid, and safety education in their respective districts. The following mine rescue competitions were held in the province: The Vancouver Island Mine Safety Association held its annual competition at Cumberland The Similkameen Valley Mine Safety Association held its annual competition in Princeton The West Kootenay Mine Safety Association in Nelson The East Kootenay Mine Safety Association in Fernie The Central British Columbia Mine Safety Association in Britannia Beach At all meets, competitions were held in first aid as well as mine-rescue work. In these competitions, events were held for women and juniors. Representatives from other industries and organizations not necessarily directly connected with mining also participated.
Also initiated in 1956, a provincial competition was held in Nelson. Provincial competitions held in various locations continue to this day.
Building from an idea suggested in 1991, in 1993 Fernie hosted the first Fernie Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition to promote the mining industry, the safety in the industry and the area as well. Originally planned as an invitation only competition, it changed to the winners only of the Provincial Mine Rescue Competitions for the current year and previous year, in their respective province or state, would be eligible to attend. The Fernie Competition was further enhanced by Westray Commissioner Justice K. Richards’ recommendation that….”Mine Rescue Competitions, long a fixture in the underground mining industry, provide a valuable training incentive for miners. These competitions should be continued.”
The reputation of local mine rescue teams continued to grow. During the mid-1920s, the team from Coal Creek won the East Kootenay competition four times and the Vancouver Island competition three times. That reputation was sustained over the years and was a source of great local pride. Fernie teams captained by Joe Haile won many prizes in the thirties.
As a result of those comments the Chief Inspectors of Mines agreed that Canada should be divided into regions to deal with issues related to emergency preparedness and response. The National Western Region Mine Rescue Committee (NWRMRC) and the City of Fernie partner to ensure the Fernie Mine Rescue Competition tests the emergency preparedness and response capabilities rescue teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon and the northwestern United States. The City of Fernie and its mine rescue committee are responsible for sponsoring and organizing the competition, while the NWRMRC is responsible for organizing the tasks. The competition is designed to recognize, showcase and celebrate the work and dedication of those involved in emergency response and mine rescue. Held every other September since then, underground and surface mine rescue teams from the western Canadian provinces and territories as well as the western states gather in Fernie to compete. The competitions renew and reinforce the bonds established by their predecessors. More formally the areas represented are part of a disaster response plan designed to provide mutual assistance when required.
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12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
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North Antelope Rochelle Mine
New Afton Mine
(Left to right): Peter Klaponski (Vice-Captain), Monte Spencer, Kris Edwards (Captain), Jayson Kennedy, Jared Moe (Coordinator), Mike Owens (Coach) & Mike Birtwistle
(Left to right): Travis Starks, Jonathon Tavares, Justin Malone, Jeff Nelson, John Cattles. Bottom from left: Todd Christensen, Reicher Oesterle, Brian Gilbert, and Lyle Wetz.
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he past two years record – 2014 2nd place Elko Safety Olympiad in Elko Nevada, 1st place International Mine Rescue Competition in Gillette Wyoming. 2015 1st place Elko Safety Olympiad in Elko Nevada, 2nd place International Mine Rescue Competition in Gillette Wyoming.
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ew Afton Fire & Mine Rescue is comprised of ~45 individuals who are trained to NFPA 1001 in Firefighting, Underground Mine Rescue, Technical Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Hazardous Materials Mitigation, First Responder Level 3 and a number of other proficiencies. Of that team this year’s competition team was selected. Due to a lack of underground competition teams in British Columbia this year we were fortunate to be offered an opportunity to compete in Yellowknife, NT. New Afton Fire & Mine Rescue looks forward to this year’s Western Regional Competition and to continuing to build comraderie with responders from other properties across the country. Located 10 kilometres from Kamloops, British Columbia, the New Afton Mine is New Gold’s most significant cash flow generator. New Afton is a low-cost gold and copper producer with significant upside potential, primarily through increases to mill capacity and exploration at the site’s highly prospective C-zone.
SAFETY IS FOR WINNERS Meet a few of ours...
Everyone at De Beers is wishing the Snap Lake Mine Rescue Team “Good Luck” at the National Western Mine Rescue Competition.
We promote it every day and back it with the best training in the industry. At De Beers Canada we’re all about safety.
Competition help sharpen skills and test the knowledge of team members who would be called on in a mine emergency.
Then there’s our Snap Lake Mine Rescue Team. They take safety to the next level. Strive for perfection. Take time out of their own schedules to practice and train. And then test themselves against the best in the industry.
We know if the need arises, we have highly skilled professionals ready to deal with emergency situations.
Events like the National Western Mine Rescue
Go to debeersgroup.com to learn more.
Good luck to the Snap Lake Mine Rescue Team from your friends and family at De Beers.
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The staff at New Gold would like to wish our New Afton Mine Rescue Team all the best in the 2015 National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition We are proud of the hard work and dedication displayed by our members of the emergency response teams. At New Gold, we understand the importance of working safely and strive to offer continuous safety improvements on our sites. We are committed to contributing to sustainable development wherever we operate by acting ethically and with integrity, by working safely, and taking responsibility for the impacts of our decisions and actions on communities and the environment. We consistently apply this approach through the mine life cycle from early exploration, development operation, to decommissioning and mine closure.
Our sustainability reports, policies and initiatives can be found at
www.newgold.com
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12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
from the
Photos - Teck Coal - Henry Georgi
Fernie Mine Rescue Competition 2013
Photos: Teck - Henry Georgi
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Hudbay Minerals
(Left to right): Kevin Lief (coach), Terry Hornyak (tech), Dave Kendal (DO), Clint Parsons (Capt.), Adam Harrower (#2 man), Robert Forsyth (#3 Man), Stephen Reid (#4 man), Aldon Kowalchuck (V. Capt), Tony Butt (Lalor Superintendent).
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udbay (TSX : HBM) (NYSE : HBM) is a Canadian integrated mining company with operations, development properties and exploration activities across the Americas principally focused on the discovery, production and marketing of copper, zinc, gold and silver properties in the Flin Flon/Snow Lake regions of Northern Manitoba, Peru and Arizona.
The WA1200-6 is Komatsu’s largest wheel loader and one of its most productive and economical, thanks to improvements built around customer input and feedback.
Mosaic Potash Belle Plaine
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osaic is pleased to congratulate the Belle Plaine Emergency Response Team for their exemplary performance at the 2015 Saskatchewan Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Competition; Good luck at the 2015 National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition. Our emergency response volunteers play a critical role in Mosaics pursuit of an incident and injury free work place. Mosaic Belle Plaine is the world’s largest potash solution mine and one of three Mosaic potash mines located in Saskatchewan.
Good Luck to all the competitors in the 12th Biennial Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
MLA Bill Bennett
Bill Bennett, M.L.A. (Kootenay East) Province of British Columbia Elkford 1 250-865-4651
www.smsequip.com
Constituency Office 100c Cranbrook Street N. Cranbrook, BC V1C 3P9
Phone: 250 417-6022 Fax: 250 417-6026 bill.bennett.mla@leg.bc.ca
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Mosaic Potash Esterhazy K2
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osaic is pleased to congratulate the Esterhazy K2 Underground Mine Rescue Team for their stellar performance at the 2015 Saskatchewan Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Competition; Good luck at the 2015 National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition. Our mine rescue volunteers play a critical role in Mosaics pursuit of an incident and injury free work place. Mosaic Esterhazy is Saskatchewan’s first Potash mine, miners broke into potash on June 8, 1962, and has since become the world’s largest potash mine.
Capstone Mining - Minto Mine
(Right to left): Rob Sutton, Captain, Wendy Willis, Vice Captian. Steve Dunfield #3. Ryan Silverfox #4. Sean Darcy #5. Mark Goebel, Medic Cory Hilderman #7.
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or three of these team members, this is the first year competing in mine rescue competitions. We have always made an effort to mix experienced with the nonexperienced members on our competition team as it benefits our entire mine rescue program. Photo from the Territorial competition in Yellowknife earlier this year.
Westmore Coal - Poplar River
Alamos Gold - Young Davidson Mine
(Left to right): Guy Hiltz (Safety Coordinator), Eric Lemieux, Chris Monteyne, Corwin Jepson (Captain), Dennis Hicks, Jason Lemieux (Vice-captain), Cam Marit (Coach). Front Row: Rod Lewis, Blake Hagen and Rob Drake.
Team members: Captain Shawn DeForge, Two Man Joey Roy, Three Man Trevor Hale, Four Man Jessie Vaillancourt, Vice-Captain Pierre Belanger, Six Man Marc Leveille, Seven Man Ryan Layland, Brief Officer Jeff St. Martin.
Welcome to the Elk Valley all competitors and families, Greetings from Sparwood and the Large Titan truck.
Please stop at our visitor center for souvenirs, clothing and info on Sparwood and the Elk Valley
We would like to wish all the competitors good luck and have fun!
#2 Front Street, Elkford, BC Phone: 250-865-7555 Fax: 250-865-7559
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Description of Competition Tasks Donning Bench and Mine Problem
This task mirrors what a team would do to rescue trapped or injured miners at a real mine. After receiving the call the team will go to the donning bench to test and ready their breathing apparatus. While they do this the coordinator will gather all the available data so that the team may be properly briefed. Once the team is briefed on the situation, they will advance into the mine to assess the conditions. Fire, smoke, explosive or poisonous gasses, ground falls or water build-up may occur as they work towards rescuing the trapped miners. Ventilation of the mine is a very crucial component of rescuing the miners and rehabilitating the mine.
Smoke Task
This task is designed to be difficult because it usually deprives the rescuers of one of their vital senses, vision. In this task the teams are very dependent on each other to communicate properly, what they are encountering, while all the time trying to remain aware of their whereabouts in a structure or mine that they are not familiar with.
Rope Task
This activity requires mine rescue team members to test their skills at rigging, rope handling and problem solving. Six team members will be required to participate in this activity. The teams will be challenged with a unique task, testing their ability to safely rig the appropriate systems to accommodate a heavy load as may be required in a rescue situation.
Extrication Task
The team will be tested on competencies related to extricating trapped workers. Once the Captain is able to control for any hazards to the team, a variety of equipment is available to choose from to safety and effectively extricate the worker.
Practical Skills Task
Practical skills, previously known as the Practical Bench, is a task or series of tasks designed to test specific competencies regarding mine rescue procedures or equipment. The skills required may include rope work, knots, gas detection, extrication, or any number of tasks associated with emergency preparedness and response as covered in the Mine Rescue Manuals.
Fire Task
The Fire fighting task will utilize props and actual fires to test the competencies of the mine rescue teams. The fires will be set at a level which will require the use of fireresistant coveralls or full turn-out gear.
First Aid Task
This task is presented as a stand-alone task testing first aid competencies consistent with Standard St. John Ambulance First Aid and Red Cross protocols. The Captain needs to recognize the hazards, maintain the safety of his team while managing appropriate first aid to injured workers.
Written Exam
The written tests the Team’s general knowledge with regards to any elements related to mine rescue. Only five team member’s scores will count. The spare may be designated as a replacement for one of the regular team members for this task.
Underground Bench Technician Competition
When a team goes into harm’s way the last thing they need is to be wearing a faulty C.C.B.A (Closed Circuit Breathing Apparatus). While all mine rescue teams have knowledge of their breathing apparatus, it requires the services of a highly skilled and knowledgeable person to maintain it at 100% efficiency. This task tests the technicians’ ability to trouble shoot and assemble the units so that they are fit for service.
Proudly Supplying Our Local Area Mines
Good Luck
At Alamos Gold we are very proud of our mine rescue team
to all our area teams from the staff and management at
and wish them the best of luck in the 12th biennial competition
Shaw Enterprises Ltd.
in Fernie ~ September 11th and 12th, 2015.
SPARWOOD DIVISION
With locations to serve you in: www.alamosgold.com
• Sparwood • Cranbrook • Kamloops • Nisku • Calgary • Fort McMurray
C16
12th Biennial National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition
THE FREE PRESS Thursday, September 10, 2015
Thank You to Our Sponsors FernieCHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Smell ‘n’ tell THE FREE PRESS
Smell rotten eggs? JIM PAUL DJIt & could be natural gas. 1
Causeway Bay Hotel
AUDIO CONSULTANT
SHOESMITH CONSTRUCTION
01 BASIC ELEMENTS
DRÄGER LOGO
Dräger logo
The Dräger logo is the most important part of the overall corporate design. As a registered trademark, the logo text is protected by copyright and must not be changed. Distorting or modifying the logo in any way is prohibited. The logo does not use a default font.
2 Go outside.
YUKON WORKERS’ COMPENSATION HEALTH & SAFETY BOARD
Using the logo into body text is not permitted. The spelling “Draeger” used in English-speaking regions is not permitted in the body text.
RDEK FIRE SERVICES
Optimized logo files are available for a variety of applications such as web or print. The Dräger logo is administered by the Corporate Communications department of Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA. It may be obtained directly from the department or downloaded from the Dräger intranet “D-world” under “Materials – Corporate Design – Basics”.
Call FortisBC’s 24-hour 3 emergency line at VALID FR RENTALS 1-800-663-9911 or 911.
08|2008 © Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
Page 4
Natural gas is used safely in B.C. every day. But if you smell rotten eggs, go outside first, then call us.
Learn more at fortisbc.com/smellandtell. The staff at New Gold would like to wish our New Afton Mine Rescue Team all the best in the 2015 National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition We are proud of the hard work and dedication displayed by our members of the emergency response teams. At New Gold, we understand the importance of working safely and strive to offer continuous safety improvements on our sites.
MANITOBA GOVERNMENT
FortisBC uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. (15-015.13 05/2015)
15-015.13-GasOdourPrint-4.3125x6.5-P1.indd 1
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
We are committed to contributing to sustainable development wherever we operate by acting ethically and with integrity, by working safely, and taking responsibility for the impacts of our decisions and actions on communities and the environment. We consistently apply this approach through the mine life cycle from early exploration, development operation, to decommissioning and mine closure.
Our sustainability reports, policies and initiatives can be found at
www.newgold.com
Snack Shack (at Fernie Arena)
5/7/2015 9:10:27 AM
Wolfe Construction SASKATCHEWAN GOVERNMENT