17 October 2017

Narrabri hosts the 55th Australian Underground Mines Rescue Competition

Whitehaven’s Narrabri Mine was host of this year’s highly-contested 55th Australian Underground Mines Rescue competition.

Won by Peabody Energy’s Wambo Mine, the team from NSW were closely followed by Queensland’s Moranbah North and Broadmeadow teams who claimed second and third place respectively.

The Australian Mines Rescue Competition is run by a committee of joint representatives from NSW Mines Rescue and Queensland Mines Rescue. It is hosted on a rotational basis each year and held in different mining regions.

Four New South Wales (NSW) teams who won their respective regional competitions, and four Queensland mining teams (also decided by a series of competitions), vied for the 2017 title. Tahmoor (Wollongong), Newcastle, Springvale (Lithgow), Hunter Valley (Wambo) represented NSW while and teams from Kestrel, Moranbah North, Broadmeadow and Grosvenor mines represented Queensland.

These elite brigadesmen were put through their paces, responding to a number of scenarios in different environments. Surface and underground exercises included fire fighting, first aid and a series of search and rescue, emergency response and risk management challenges.

For the first time in the competition’s history the event was held in the north-western NSW coalfields, onsite at the Whitehaven Narrabri mine.

“Whitehaven Coal welcomed the opportunity to host the 2017 competition and extend a warm welcome to our Narrabri operation,” said Steve Bow, General Manager Narrabri.

“With an overall workforce of more than 1,400 people, 75 per cent of whom live in the communities where our operations are based, our goal is for zero workplace injuries or illness and for every person to go home safe and healthy after each work day. Whitehaven Coal’s people are committed to continually improve performance and provide a safe and healthy workplace for fellow employees, business partners and contractors,” he explained. “Hosting this competition reinforces that commitment and acknowledges the importance of this region to the coal industry.”

NSW Mines Rescue’s General Manager Matthew Fellowes applauded the expertise and camaraderie displayed by competitors, organisers and assessors, saying: “It was a highly contested competition and all eight teams performed exceptionally well. These volunteer brigadesmen provide invaluable safety leadership every day in their workplaces, and are the ones who are ready, willing and able to respond should the unfortunate need arise, something that should provide some peace of mind to all of our fellow coal miners.”

Mr Fellowes also thanked Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri mine for their commitment to the Australian mining industry.

“Hosting an event like this is a significant investment in time and resources but critically important to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our mineworkers. Narrabri mine management and site support team were instrumental in ensuring the success of the event yesterday and should be commended on this effort,” he added.

 

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