Kidd mine wins provincial mine rescue competition

TIMMINS - A team from a legacy mine won the coveted gold hard hats at a provincial competition. 

Glencore Kidd Operations won the Ontario Mine Rescue competition at the annual competition. 

Eight teams from across the province tested their emergency skills in the event held at Glencore Kidd Operations in Timmins last week. 

“Each time a team successfully completes a complex competition scenario, they become stronger and more prepared as real-world responders — and that’s the true purpose of these events,” said Shawn Rideout, chief Mine Rescue Officer, in a news release. “This year’s competition was tough, but every team rose to the occasion. I’m incredibly proud of their professionalism and commitment.”

The scenario teams responded to was a report of a vehicle crash and an underground fire. Team members helped a distraught and injured supervisor to the surface first, then had to put out a vehicle fire, safely free a pinned worker, and escort him to safety. That worker informed rescuers about another unconscious casualty inside a transmixer tank. 

"In co-ordination with a control group and a second response team, they ensured the area was free of hazardous gases and secured for safe access. Meanwhile, mine rescue technicians were tasked with servicing critical life-saving equipment, including a CAREvent and BG4 unit, reinforcing the importance of operational readiness and equipment maintenance in emergency scenarios," explained Workplace Safety North in a news release. 

The Glencore Kidd Operations team is made up of captain Clint Scripnick, #2 Gilles Paradis, #3 Michael Murphy, #4 Matthew Richards, vice captain Randy Gagnon, #6 Reid Murray, #7 Michael Bennett, briefing officer James Comeau, coaches Heather Deschene and Bob Riva, and mine rescue officers Jason Leger and Mat Johnson.

The runner up was Glencore Sudbury INO, Fraser and Nickel Rim South Mines.

Other award winners were:

• Individual technician competition
  • 1st – Caolan Browne, Agnico Eagle Ltd.
  • 2nd – Kyle Ouellette, Alamos Island Gold 
  • 3rd – Dominic Gervais, Lake Shore Gold
• Team special equipment award - Glencore Sudbury INO, Fraser and Nickel Rim South Mines
• Team first aid award - Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Macassa Mine 
• Team firefighting award - Glencore Sudbury INO, Fraser and Nickel Rim South Mines
• Team theory exam award - Glencore Sudbury INO, Fraser and Nickel Rim South Mines
• Briefing officer award - Shawn St. Louis, Vale East Mines