Mine rescue volunteers across the province will test their skills and knowledge this spring during the 2025 Ontario Mine Rescue District Competition, which will run May 7-9.
During the annual event, mine rescue teams will complete a knowledge test and a simulated emergency, testing their skills in areas including first aid, firefighting, teamwork, and emergency equipment.
The exercise is designed as a learning opportunity and ensures all volunteers are following the same standard. All competitions are open to the public.
“Every year we aim to create a scenario that is as realistic as possible,” said Shawn Rideout, chief mine rescue officer at Workplace Safety North, in an April 21 news release.
“It’s a window into the intense emergencies volunteers will see on the mine site, and we use their competition performance to improve how they make critical decisions under stress.”
This year’s competitions will take place on the following dates:
- Red Lake and Thunder Bay Districts: Memorial Sports Centre, Town of Fort Frances
- Thunder Bay, May 7
- Red Lake, May 8
- Algoma District: Michipicoten Memorial CC, Wawa, May 7-8
- Southern District: Eastlink Arena, Clinton, May 7-8
- Sudbury and Onaping Districts: Dr. Edgar Leclair Arena, Azilda
- Sudbury District, May 7
- Onaping District, May 8
- Timmins and Kirkland Lake Districts: Archie Dillon Sportsplex, Timmins
- Timmins, May 7
- Kirkland Lake, May 8
Winning teams from each of the regional events will go on to compete in the provincial competition, taking place June 3-5 at Glencore Kidd Operations in Timmins. Last year's winning team hailed from Agnico Eagle's Macassa Mine in Kirkland Lake.
Ontario Mine Rescue is operated by Workplace Safety North under the authority of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Headquartered in Sudbury, Ontario Mine Rescue staffs, equips, and maintains a network of mine rescue stations across the province that ensure mines within a specified geographic area have adequate emergency response capability.
