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Students rappel into a mine shaft during mine rescue competition.
Summary
About 80 students from Canadian and U.S. post-secondary institutions practised mine rescue scenarios at Dynamic Earth in Sudbury, and Laurentian University finished first overall.
Content
Students practised mine rescue techniques this week at Dynamic Earth in Sudbury, rappelling about 20 metres into a mine shaft during simulated emergencies. The Intercollegiate Mine Emergency Response Competition brought roughly 80 students from eight post-secondary institutions in Canada and the United States. Organizers framed the event as a teaching opportunity with scenarios mapped out by Laurentian University and Ontario Mine Rescue. This was the first time the annual competition was hosted in Sudbury.
Event highlights:
- About 80 students from eight post-secondary institutions in Canada and the U.S. took part.
- Teams responded to simulated scenarios including a mock seismic event and confined-space and rope-rescue challenges.
- Competitors used an Arizona vortex device to rappel about 20 metres into the Dynamic Earth mine shaft.
- Laurentian University Mine Rescue placed first overall, West Virginia University placed second and Colorado School of Mines placed third.
- Organizers said safety and learning were the primary scoring priorities, with speed as a secondary factor, according to Ontario Mine Rescue chief Shawn Rideout.
Summary:
The event provided hands-on experience in mine emergency response while organizers emphasized teaching over competition. Laurentian University finished first, followed by West Virginia University and Colorado School of Mines. Undetermined at this time.