In pictures: Mine rescue teams compete in Yellowknife

Caelan Beard·Wednesday June 19, 2024 at 6:08am MT

Competitors at the Northern Mine Rescue Competition. Caelan Beard/Cabin Radio.

The Northern Mining Rescue Competition ran on June 14 and 15 at Yellowknife’s multiplex, showcasing mining rescue techniques and bringing back the Miners’ Picnic.

Hosted by the Northern Mining Health and Safety Forums, seven teams took part in two days of competition, including a written exam, firefighting (held at the Yellowknife Airport), first aid, a surface bench test to demonstrate knowledge of mine rescue equipment, rope rescue, smoke search, and surface and underground obstacle rescue courses.

A team prepares for its next event. Caelan Beard/Cabin Radio

Six teams were from mines across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, plus one visiting team from Rio Tinto copper projects in the United States.

The participating teams were:

Agnico Eagle Meadowbank Gold Mine (Nunavut)
Agnico Eagle Meliadine Gold Mine (Nunavut)
Baffinland Mary River Mine (Nunavut)
Burgundy Ekati Diamond Mine (NWT)
De Beers Group/Mountain Province Diamonds Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine (NWT)
Rio Tinto Copper (USA)
Rio Tinto Diavik Diamond Mine (NWT)

Meliadine were the overall winners for the underground rescue events, while Gahcho Kué were the overall winners for the surface rescue events.

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A judge (in green) observes one of the teams in action. Caelan Beard/Cabin Radio

Spectators line up for watermelon slices as part of a free barbecue. Caelan Beard/Cabin Radio

This year’s competition also saw the return of the Miners’ Picnic, held on Saturday, June 15.

The picnic was a popular event in prior years, but hadn’t been held since 2019. Organizers estimated around 1,000 people attended the picnic or watched the events on Saturday.

A child enjoys “diamond panning.” Caelan Beard/Cabin Radio

Children play on equipment. Caelan Beard/Cabin Radio

David English, one of the organizers, said the mine rescue competition is all about creating a connection between the community, emergency response teams and mine sites.

“It’s really neat that the spectators are able to come out, the community is able to come out and make that connection, building those relationships,” English said.

The competition also offered activities for children, including face painting and diamond panning, to “really try to strengthen that community side.”

The event supported the Salvation Army Food Bank, with attendees encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate. Organizers said they had collected more than 1,000 lb of food and approximately $5,000 in donations.