12 June 2017
(Yellowknife, NT – June 12, 2017) Highly trained northern mine rescue teams demonstrated their skills in mock scenarios last week, ably demonstrating their preparedness should an accident occur. The event closed off the annual NWT Mining Week, held this year from June 5-10.
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 sponsored and organized the competition. Eight teams from seven mines participated this year: Diavik Diamond Mine (Rio Tinto Ltd.); Ekati Diamond Mine (Dominion Diamond Corporation); Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine (De Beers Canada Inc.); Hope Bay Gold Mine (TMAC Resources Inc.); Meadowbank Gold Mine (Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.); Meliadine Gold Project (Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.); and Victor Diamond Mine from Ontario (De Beers Canada Inc.).
Winners were announced at the awards banquet on Saturday night. Top honours went to the new Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine, which took home the Best Overall Surface award, and Diavik Diamond Mine which took Best Overall Underground trophy. Other winners were:
Category Winner
Best Bench Tech: Gordon Zdyb (Ekati Diamond Mine)
Best Surface First Aid: Ekati Diamond Mine – Surface Team
Best Underground First Aid: Meliadine Gold Mine
Best Surface Practical Bench: Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine
Best Fire Fighting: Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine
Best Surface Rope Rescue: Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine
Best Underground Rope Rescue: Diavik Diamond Mine
Best Surface Written Test: Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine
Best Underground Written Test: Hope Bay Gold Mine
Best Surface Smoke: Meadowbank Gold Mine
Best Underground Smoke: Diavik Diamond Mine
Best Underground Bench/Field Test: Diavik Diamond Mine
Best Surface Obstacle: Victor Diamond Mine (Ontario)
Best Underground Obstacle: Ekati Diamond Mine – Underground Team
Best Overall Surface: Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine
Best Overall Underground: Diavik Diamond Mine
The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines and its mining members organized the Miners’ Picnic and the public were invited to watch the competition and to partake in a free community BBQ. Blustery weather was the order of the day, and we thank all the brave souls who came out to watch, participate and volunteer. Photos will be posted on www.miningnorth.com under Mining Week.