Britannia Beach, BC – The 2025 BC Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition will take place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at Britannia Mine Museum, 50km north of Vancouver, on the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
This annual competition is organized by the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals and the Mining Association of BC (MABC). It brings together mine rescue teams, volunteers and spectators from all over the province. Each team will push themselves to the limit, demonstrating their specialized mine rescue skills as they compete in surface and underground mine rescue events. Mine rescue team members are an elite group with specialized skills and training and serve as the mine’s fire department, paramedics and high angle rescue teams.
The mine rescue competition is an exciting event for competitors and spectators. Teams will compete in challenges testing their skills including firefighting, first aid and rope rescue in simulated conditions. It also shows how BC mining companies are working to safeguard the health and well-being not only of mine workers, but also the local communities where mines operate. This year’s event is sure to be a fun weekend outing for everyone.
“The Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition celebrates the exemplary safety standards and training practices that we have firmly established,” said Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals.
“This event is more than a test of skill – it is a powerful display of the strong community spirit that defines BC’s mining sector. The competition brings together workers, companies, and communities with a shared commitment to safety and mutual support. I am proud to say that this collaboration is not only saving lives – it is setting the standard of what a responsible, people-first industry should look like,” added Brar.
“The connection between mining and community is more important than ever – especially amidst today’s economic turbulence. BC has the critical minerals, precious metals and steelmaking coal the world needs and the annual Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition ensures BC remains world leading in health and safety,” said Michael Goehring, President & CEO, Mining Association of BC.
“Safety is the top priority for BC’s mining operations, and every major mine operation is required to have a mine rescue team responsible for emergency response and rescue. Each year I continue to be amazed by the skills, aptitude and dedication of the teams,” said Hermanus Henning, Chief Inspector of Mines, BC Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals.
“We’re proud to host the Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition once again at Britannia Mine Museum—especially during this milestone year as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. As once one of the world’s largest copper mines in the 1920s, Britannia Mine has long been an important part of British Columbia’s mining heritage. This year, we invite visitors to explore our special 50th anniversary exhibit, A Museum’s Journey, which reflects on five decades of preserving and sharing the remarkable history of this site since opening as a museum in 1975,” explained Cheryl Hendrickson, Executive Director of the Britannia Mine Museum.
Date: Friday June 6 (underground event, limited public viewing access) & Saturday June 7
Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Friday) and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: Britannia Mine Museum, 150 Copper Dr, Britannia Beach, BC V8B 1J1
Description: Family-friendly event suitable for all ages!
Cost: Free
Website: https://www.britanniaminemuseum.ca/pages/bc-provincial-mine-rescue-first-aid-competition
Note: Visitors to the Museum during the two-day event will have access to the lower site exhibits including the visitor centre and gift shop, as well as the gold panning area. Please note there will be no BOOM! show or underground tours available on these days.
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About the Mining Association of British Columbia
MABC is the voice of 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 Indigenous 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 the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals
The Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals is responsible for overseeing the province’s mining and mineral exploration sectors. The ministry works to ensure a well-regulated, environmentally sound, and economically beneficial industry that advances reconciliation with Indigenous Nations and public confidence.
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.
For media inquiries
Jayne Czarnocki
Mining Association of British Columbia
Cell: 778-957-2597
Email: jczarnocki@mining.bc.ca
Yvonne Chiang
Britannia Mine Museum
Cell: 604-880-5090
Email: ychiang@bcmm.ca
