The surface mine rescue team from Estevan’s Westmoreland Coal captured a couple of runner-up honours at the annual Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition that was held at Prairieland Park near Saskatoon on June 4.
Underground and surface mine rescue teams displayed their skills in five separate events, including fire fighting, first aid, proficiency skills, practical skills and simulated surface, and underground mine problems.
The overall winners of the 48th annual competition were the PotashCorp team from Patience Lake with Mosaic’s Belle Plaine team being the runner up for the surface mining competition.
The overall winner for underground mines was the PotashCorp team from Lanigan with Mosaic’s Esterhazy K2 team being runners-up.
The Westmoreland Coal crew from Estevan captured second spot status in the practical skills category for surface mine operations, right behind the winning team from Mosaic’s Belle Plaine division.
The Estevan team received their second runner-up honour in the surface field problem competition, finishing behind the PotashCorp’s Patience Lake team.
Following the competition, the Saskatchewan Mining Association said they saluted all the safety professionals who serve as a tremendous resource both for the mines where they work, as well as their home communities.
Don Morgan, minister of labour relations and workplace safety, and Saskatchewan Mining Association chairman Neil McMillan presented two national trophies to Saskatchewan mine sites. For the third straight year, Cameco’s McArthur River Mine was awarded the John T. Ryan National Safety Trophy for metal mines and Mosaic Esterhazy K1 received the Ryan Safety Trophy for select mines.
Claude Resources, Seabee operations received the regional John T. Ryan Safety Trophy in the metal mine category for the Prairie provinces and Territories.
Members of the Westmoreland team included: Jeff Kuchinka, Kevin Ducey, Lee Mantei, Cory Gibson, Jessica Klarholm, Craig Alexander, Derrick Mitchell and Brandon Scholpp.
