16 June 2015
Yellowknife, NT (June 16, 2015) Highly trained northern mine rescue teams from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon and British Columbia showed their skills in mock scenarios last week, ably demonstrating their preparedness should an accident occur. The event occurred during the annual NWT Mining Week, held June 8-13.
Seven teams competed over two days within two broad categories, surface and underground, and in a variety of skill areas including fire fighting, rope rescue, smoke, and surface and underground obstacles. The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) sponsored and organized the competition, and companies from three territories and one province sent teams. From the NWT, Ekati sent two teams (surface and underground), and Diavik and Snap Lake each sent single teams. Representing Nunavut was the Meadowbank mine and from the Yukon the Minto mine. The New Afton Mine in Kamloops, British Columbia also sent a team. Winners were announced at the awards banquet on Saturday night.
Top honours went to the Ekati Diamond Mine, which took home both the Overall Surface and the Overall Underground trophies. Other winners were: