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OPA News Release: [08/19/2002]
Contact Name: Amy Louviere or Rodney Brown
Phone Number: (202) 693-9423 or (202) 693-9425

Real Mine Emergencies Benefit from Rescue Contests

RENO, Nev. – Just three weeks after one of the most successful mine rescue efforts in history, more than 30 rescue teams from the U.S. and abroad will compete in the 2002 National and International Mine Rescue Contest, August 20-22, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Virginia St. The contest is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

“The rescue of the nine Quecreek miners in Somerset, Pa., last month was a remarkable example of training and teamwork at their best,” said Dave D. Lauriski, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “Mine rescue contests are an ideal forum for sharpening skills that rescue teams undoubtedly will rely upon in the event of a real emergency.”

Twenty-eight American teams, including five from Nevada, will participate in the three-day event, along with groups representing Canada, China, Peru and Poland.

The rescue capsule that successfully pulled the nine miners to safety from 240 feet below ground also will be on display.

Mine rescue competitions test the knowledge of highly trained teams of miners who have diligently studied and practiced to respond to a mine emergency. Teams must work through a hypothetical mine emergency -- such as an underground fire, flood or cave-in -- while judges rate them on their adherence to mine rescue procedures and how quickly they complete specific tasks.

Mine rescue training began in the United States in 1910. The training efforts evolved into local and regional competitions leading up to the national contest.

For complete results of the competition, visit MSHA’s web site at www.msha.gov.

Schedule of Events

Aug. 20 – begins at 9:15 a.m. (national competition)

Aug. 21 – begins at 7:30 a.m. (includes international competition)

Aug. 22 – begins at 7:30 a.m. (final competition)

2002 National Mine Rescue Teams

Alaska

Kennecott Minerals, Greens Creek Mining Company (Juneau)

Idaho

Coeur Silver Valley, Inc. Galena/CMR Mine (Wallace)

Hecla Mining Company, Lucky Friday Mine (Mullen)

Kentucky

Carmeuse Lime, Inc., Maysville Mine, Maysville Operations (Maysville)

Louisiana

Cargill Deicing Technology, Cargill-Avery Island Mine (Avery Island)

Morton Salt Company, Weeks Island Mine (New Iberia)

Missouri

The Doe Run Co., Southeast Missouri Mining and Milling Division (Viburnum)

(2 teams)

Montana

Stillwater Mining Company, Nye Operations (Nye)

Nevada

Newmont Mining Corporation, Eastern Nevada Operations (Carlin)

Barrick Goldstrike Mining, Meikle/Rodeo Mine (Elko)

Bechtel Nevada, U1A Complex (Pahrump)

Bechtel SAIC, LLC, Yucca Moutain Mine (Las Vegas)

Newmont Midas Operations, Inc. (Midas)

New Mexico

IMC Potash, Carlsbad Mine (Carlsbad)

Westinghouse Tru-Solutions, Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (Carlsbad) – 2 teams

Mississippi Potash, Inc. Mississippi Potash, East and West (Carlsbad)

New York

Cargill, Inc., Cayuga Mine (Lansing)

Ohio

Morton Salt, Fairport Mine (Grand River)

Texas

Morton Salt (Grand Saline) Kleer Mine (Grand Saline)

Wyoming

Solvay Minerals, Inc. (Green River) – 2 teams

General Chemical Corp., General

Chemical Mine (Green River) – 2 teams

FMC Corporation, FMC Westvaco Mine (Green River) – 2 teams

OCI of Wyoming, L.P. Big Island Mine (Green River) – 2 teams

2002 International Mine Rescue Teams

Canada

Cameco, McArthur River Mine (Saskatoon, SK)

China

Pingdingshan Coal Co. Ltd (Pingdingshan, HN)

Peru

Doe Run Peru Mine Rescue Team

Poland

White Eagles 2002 (Wroclaw)

United States

USA-Southwestern Wyoming Mutual Aid Association (Green River, Wyo.)

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