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Thursday, May 13th, 2010 - 11:09:26
Last Friday, the Thunder Bay-Algoma District Mine Rescue Competition was held in the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Three teams competed: Wesdome - Eagle River Gold Mine, Richmont Island Gold - Patricia and Barrick - Hemlo Operations spent a number of hours in a simulated mine that took up the entire floor of the rink. As they began their simulation in the Lounge aka "Mine Office", each six man team (Technician and Team) were given the same information while inspecting their gear. This year, two timbermen had gone missing (or hadn't reported in on time) and there was also smoke reported in one area. There was concern because the timbermen (possibly contractors) were not familiar with the mine.
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As the scenario progressed, the judges watched every step and comment made by the team. Equipment was inspected, and any question or deficiency was reported - and a judge remarked if it was to be assumed satisfactory. For example, one team member inspected a The SSR 90 M which is a self-contained, oxygen-generating rescue device that provides the casualty with at least 90 minutes of breathing air. In this case the date had expired, and the member was assured that it was good. Once all the gear was set, the scenario was revealed. The team inspected the level plan and proceeded out of the "Mine Office" and to the "Head Frame and Hoist".
On the arena floor, a mine had been set up, complete with Hoist. The team buzzed, and then entered the hoist, locking the gate behind. Signaling to the Hoist Operator, the team descended to the level where the workers were.
Sampling the air, the team progressed through the level, arriving where one man was injured. They assessed, and immobilized the injured worker on a stretcher, then returned with him to surface.
Then the team went through a "tunnel" cutting obstacles out of their way to reach the other injured carpenter. It was interesting watching them squirm through, and then carefully extricate themselves while heading down a ramp. With all the gear they are carrying - it surely cannot be easy. It helps the onlookers who may have never been underground to visualize the obstacles that may be in a Mine Rescue Team's path as they try to find victims in pitch black, smokey, flooded, rock strewn areas. You could hear the victim calling for help, forlornly on the other side - but the team has to progress in safety.
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This timberman was trapped under a ladder, which has to be cut away in order to free him. His ankle was immobilized and he too was carried away. This particular rescue was a little more tricky, because the team had to slide the victim through the "tunnel" to the other side.
The team then returned to investigate the smoke. It was not clear if they had descended to another level, or the smoke was on the same level as the injured carpenters. One would have had to listen to the hoist bell to see what level they were calling the hoistman to lower them to.
They discovered the fire in a fuel bay, and attaching their fire hose to a water valve in the drift, they extinguished the blaze. Finally, the team returned to surface, and the exercise was complete.
Every comment by team members, and every action was analyzed by the judges, and ofter you would see them conferring with another. However much fun it seemed - adult role playing on a grand scale... this is serious business. Each operating mine is required to have a Mine Rescue Team, simply because of the inherent dangers of mining. Equipment is the standardized so that teams can aid and assist each other without complications.
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From the Ontario Mine Rescue site one learns that "Ontario Mine Rescue was born out of the tragedy of the Hollinger Mine fire that claimed the lives of 39 miners in Timmins in 1928. Neither the mine, the town or even the province had the expertise or the resources to respond to save their lives or adequately fight the fire. Mine rescue teams from Pittsburgh had to be called in to extinguish the fire, while recovery operations were left to local mine management. The resulting provincial royal commission recommended the creation of an Ontario Mine Rescue organization under the Department of Mines to respond to underground mine fires. in 1984, after four miners were trapped and killed in a rockburst at Falconbridge No. 5 Shaft near Sudbury. The Stevenson Commission recommended that the organization's mandate be expanded to conduct training in and respond to non-fire emergencies. Training on non-fire rescue equipment began shortly after. Ontario Mine Rescue is a role model for the establishment of training and safety programs for mine rescue organizations in other provinces and countries.
The winner of this competition, Barrick - Hemlo Operations will now compete in the Ontario Mine Rescue's 2010 provincial competition. This competition features the winners of five district competitions, being held June 11 - 12 at the Hollinger Gold Mine Tour in Timmins. Visitors and guests will follow the competition held underground in the mine on a large monitor with commentary next door in the Shania Twain Centre. Vale Inco, East Mines was the winner last year.
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