PotashCorp mine rescue teams from prairie to coast were honored for their performance in recent mine safety competitions in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick.

The competitions, which challenged the skills of mine rescuers in simulated emergencies, included a two-part mock mine disaster that tests their ability to assess an emergency and rescue trapped miners.

“These competitions help our teams to maintain the high standards we’ve set in mine safety,” said Garth Moore, President of PCS Potash. “Although we hope these skills never have to be called upon, training and competitions like these ensure we’ll be ready to respond if the need ever does arise.”

In Saskatchewan, PotashCorp Patience Lake placed first overall among six participants in the Surface Mine category, while the Lanigan team was overall runner-up in the Underground Mine Competition. Teams from Allan and Rocanville finished first and second respectively in the competition’s signature Underground Mine Problem event.

In New Brunswick, PotashCorp was declared the Overall Winner of the competition. The team also won the Bench Test and Mock Mine events.  Gene Aiton, a Technician of PCS New Brunswick Division, also won the Individual Technicians competition.

“The skills and dedication displayed by all of our Emergency Response Personnel are something that we as a corporation are extremely proud of,” added Moore. “This competition adds fun to the important preparation and training process”.

The competitions, which require participants to train intensively in the use of respiratory protective equipment, emergency tools, fire-fighting techniques and first aid procedures, demand precise teamwork and a thorough familiarity with each member’s role in an emergency.

Saskatchewan Mining Association Mine Rescue Emergency Response Results:

OVERALL
Surface Winner  - PotashCorp Patience Lake
Surface Runner Up - Mosaic Potash Belle Plaine
Underground Winner - Mosaic Potash Colonsay
Underground Runner Up  - PotashCorp Lanigan

MINE PROBLEM
Underground Winner - PotashCorp Allan
Underground Runner Up  - PotashCorp Rocanville

FIELD PROBLEM
Surface Winner  - Mosaic Potash Belle Plaine
Surface Runner Up - Prairie Mines & Royalty Poplar River

FIRST AID
Surface Winner  - PotashCorp Patience Lake
Surface Runner Up - AREVA McLean Lake
Underground Winner  - Mosaic Potash Colonsay
Underground Runner Up  - PotashCorp Lanigan

FIRE FIGHTING
Surface Winner  - Mosaic Potash Belle Plaine
Surface Runner Up  - PotashCorp Patience Lake
Underground Winner  - Agrium Potash
Underground Runner Up  - Mosaic Potash Colonsay

PROFICIENCY
Surface Winner  - Prairie Mines & Royalty Boundary Dam
Surface Runner Up  - Cameco Key Lake
Underground Winner  - PotashCorp Cory
Underground Runner Up  - PotashCorp Allan

PRACTICAL SKILLS
Underground Winner  - PotashCorp Lanigan
Underground Runner Up  - Mosaic Potash Colonsay
Surface Winner  - Prairie Mines & Royalty Poplar River
Surface Runner Up  - PotashCorp Patience Lake

New Brunswick Provincial Mine Rescue Competition

EVENTS and WINNERS

Bench Test - PCS New Brunswick Division
First Aid - Falconbridge – Brunswick Mining
Fire Fighting -  Falconbridge – Brunswick Mining
Mock Mine  - PCS New Brunswick Division
Technicians’ Competition - Gene Aiton of PCS NB Division
Overall Competition - PCS New Brunswick Division

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