Rio Tinto hosts the 54th Australian mines rescue competition
Published by Harleigh Hobbs,
Editor
World Coal,
Rio Tinto’s Kestrel mine will host the 54th Australian Underground Mines Rescue competition in central Queensland on 20 October 2016.
This annual event will see eight mines rescue and emergency response teams from across Queensland and New South Wales compete in a range of simulated emergency situations to test their skills and share their extensive knowledge. These include the use of emergency equipment, fire-fighting, treating multiple casualties and an underground rescue scenario.
Kestrel mine’s Acting General Manager Wouter Niehaus said: “Rio Tinto is proud to support this competition, which plays an important role in helping to continually improve safety in Australian mines. The safety of our people is our first priority and this requires continuous planning and training for emergency situations.”
“Mines rescue competitions are a critical part of the training regime for these teams and really put their skills to the test,” Niehaus continued. “This is a chance for rescue teams from across New South Wales and Queensland to learn from each other and share best practice techniques, which benefits the whole industry.”
CEO of Queensland Mines Rescue Service David Carey commented: “I would like to acknowledge the support Rio Tinto has shown to mines rescue in facilitating this competition, which requires a significant commitment of time and resources.”
“Having access to the mine at Kestrel allows us to test these teams in a realistic environment, which is critical to improving the excellent emergency response capability in the Australian mining industry even further,” he added.
New South Wales Mines Rescue (NSW Mines Rescue) State Manager Steve Tonegato said: “The calibre of this year’s competition will no doubt be a reflection of the level of expertise, commitment, and importance that everyone involved places on ensuring the event is both challenging for the competitors, and just as importantly; build skills and capabilities that continue to protect our industry.”
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/19102016/rio-tinto-hosts-the-54th-australian-mines-rescue-competition/
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