Mine rescue teams compete in 55th annual skills competition

Emergency response teams from 16 Saskatchewan mine sites tested their skills in a provincewide safety competition in Saskatoon June 7.

"Congratulations to @nutrienltd Allan for earning the title of Underground Overall Winner and The Mosaic Company - Canada Esterhazy Surface for earning the title of Surface Overall Winner at the 55th Saskatchewan Mining Association Emergency Response Mine Rescue Competition this past weekend," Saskatchewan Mining Association said in a Facebook post following the event. Photo sourced from the Saskatchewan Mining Association Facebook page

SASKATOON — Teams of highly trained emergency response and mine rescue personnel from 16 mine sites across Saskatchewan gathered in Saskatoon this past weekend for the 55th Annual Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA) Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition.

The event was held June 7 at the World Trade Centre at Prairieland Park.

Underground and surface rescue teams competed in seven separate events designed to test their technical knowledge, physical readiness and teamwork. Events included bench technician, firefighting, first aid, practical skills, proficiency, surface rope rescue, and simulated surface and underground mine problem scenarios.

Overall results:

Surface winner: Mosaic Esterhazy Surface
Runner-up: K+S Potash Bethune
Underground winner: Nutrien Allan
Runner-up: Mosaic Esterhazy K3

Individual event winners:

Bench Technician

Underground winner: Kevin Moore, SSR Mining Seabee
Runner-up: Vilhelm Micavi, Nutrien Cory

First Aid

Surface winner: Nutrien Patience Lake
Runner-up: Westmoreland Mining Estevan
Underground winner: Nutrien Lanigan
Runner-up: Nutrien Cory

Fire Fighting

Surface winner: Mosaic Esterhazy Surface
Runner-up: K+S Potash Bethune
Underground winner: Nutrien Allan
Runner-up: Nutrien Lanigan

Practical Skills

Surface winner: K+S Potash Bethune
Runner-up: Westmoreland Mining Estevan
Underground winner: Nutrien Allan
Runner-up: Mosaic Esterhazy K3

Proficiency

Surface winner: Mosaic Esterhazy Surface
Runner-up: Mosaic Belle Plaine
Underground winner: Nutrien Lanigan
Runner-up: Nutrien Allan

Surface Rope Rescue Skills

Winner: Mosaic Esterhazy Surface
Runner-up: Mosaic Belle Plaine

Surface Field Problem

Surface winner: Mosaic Esterhazy Surface
Runner-up: Mosaic Belle Plaine

Underground Mine Problem

Underground winner: Mosaic Esterhazy K3
Runner-up: Nutrien Cory

The Saskatchewan Mining Association recognized all participants as dedicated safety professionals who serve not only their mine sites but also their home communities.

A highlight of the awards ceremony was the recognition of Westmoreland Mining Poplar River, which received the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s prestigious John T. Ryan National Safety Trophy in the Coal Category.

"Westmoreland Mining Poplar River received the National Award in the Coal Category with a rate of zero –– and that represents more than 1.5 million hours worked with no lost time injuries, or modified work injuries at their operations in 2024," the organizers said in a media release.

The company has now received the national safety award in four of the last five years.

"The Poplar River Mine has always prided itself on safety which has allowed them to win The National John T. Ryan award four of the last five years by achieving a total frequency rate of 0.00. The mine’s strong safety culture and top-notch employees help power the Province of Saskatchewan. Congratulations on this great safety achievement," the orhanizers added.