Teams from South Australian mining companies will pit their mine rescue skills against each other and interstate teams in the inaugural South Australian Mines Emergency Response Competition this coming weekend: 1-2 May 2010. Three teams from BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam mine, Terramin Australia’s Angas zinc mine and OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill mine will battle it out with two teams from Victoria and one from New South Wales. The event, a first for South Australia, will be hosted by the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME).

Jason Kuchel, SACOME Chief Executive: “The inaugural event is a reflection of our strong emphasis on ever improving mine safety as South Australia sees an increasing number of mines opening. The competitors will face challenges such as going into an underground mine in the dark, wearing full rescue gear including breathing apparatus and confronting a very realistic rescue scenario, so it will really test their skills and training.”

The competition will be held at both the Angas zinc mine near Strathalbyn and the CFS State Training Centre, Brukunga, in the Adelaide Hills. Teams will spend a day at each facility and will face challenges such as high rope rescues, using breathing apparatus, fire fighting, first aid, theory, basic skills and road crash rescues.

“This sort of training is vital for our mine rescue teams. It not only hones their skills, but it is set up as a learning exercise where they can watch other teams and share information. It is also designed to be fun and I’m sure friendly rivalry will be there from the start,” Kuchel said

The competition will culminate in an awards dinner on Sunday night at Auchendarroch House, Mt Barker where the SA Minister for Mineral Resources Development, the Hon Paul Holloway, MLC, will present the inaugural SACOME Perpetual Trophy to the winning team.