Britannia Beach, BC – Fifteen mine rescue and first aid teams from mines across the province battled it out at the historic Britannia Mine Museum last weekend, competing in the 66th annual BC Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition.
Every year, mine rescue competitions evaluate mine rescuers on essential emergency response skills, from firefighting to first aid, through both live-action scenarios and a written test. This year’s simulated challenges included responding to a fire in a mine, in-water rescue from Howe Sound, safe recovery of people from a severe car crash and scaling 15 feet to rescue an injured person.
Well done to all competitors, volunteers and supporters who turned up in force on the shores of Howe Sound. The 2024 competition saw mine rescue teams from as far as Dease Lake compete neck in neck.
Every participant and team deserve recognition for their performance, with special mention to the overall category winners:
- Underground Mine Rescue: Newmont Corporation, Red Chris mine
- Surface Mine Rescue: Hudbay Minerals Inc., Copper Mountain mine
- Three-person First Aid Team: Hudbay Minerals Inc., Copper Mountain mine
“Congratulations to all teams who competed this year. Once again, I am blown away by the skill level and aptitude of the mine rescue teams in BC. Every major mine is required to have a mine rescue team responsible for emergency response. Safety is the top priority for BC’s mining operations and this past weekend demonstrated this,” Hermanus Henning, Chief Inspector of Mines, BC Government.
“Mine rescuers truly are the heart and soul of BC’s mining industry. The teams demonstrated not only their exceptional mine rescue and first aid skills, but also their dedication and passion for what they do. Well done to everyone who took part in this year’s competition!” Michael Goehring, President & CEO, Mining Association of BC.
The annual competition, which started in 1958, is organized by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI) and the Mining Association of BC (MABC).
About the Mining Association of British Columbia
MABC is the voice of the British Columbia’s steelmaking coal, metal and mineral producers, smelters and advanced development companies. Our industry benefits all British Columbians and supports more than 35,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 small, medium, and First Nation affiliated businesses in every corner of the province through an annual spend of $3.7 billion on goods and services. Our members’ products have among the lowest carbon footprints globally and are helping the world transition to a cleaner, low-carbon future; safely and responsibly.
About Britannia Mine Museum
The Britannia Mine Museum is a mining legacy site and a vibrant, internationally recognized education and tourist destination located between Vancouver and Whistler on the Sea-to-Sky highway. It is a National Historic Site and a non-profit organization encouraging mining awareness through entertaining, experiential education programs and exhibits, important historic collection preservation and insightful public engagement that allows guests to leave with a better understanding of mining in BC; past, present and future. www.britanniaminemuseum.ca
About the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation is a government ministry in British Columbia. It is responsible for overseeing the province’s electricity, alternative energy, hydrogen, oil, natural gas, mining and mineral exploration sectors. It also supports work to meet BC’s greenhouse gas reduction targets. The ministry aims to ensure a well-regulated, environmentally sound, and economically beneficial industry that advances reconciliation with Indigenous Nations and public confidence.
For Media Inquiries:
Jayne Czarnocki
Mining Association of BC
Cell: 778-957-2597
Email: jczarnocki@mining.bc.ca
Yvonne Chiang
Britannia Mine Museum
Cell: 604-880-5090
Email: ychiang@bcmm.ca
