Malabar’s Maxwell Underground mine at Muswellbrook held the Hunter Valley Mines Rescue Competition for the first time on Friday 19 June, hosting teams from across the Hunter and Gunnedah regions.
Seven teams applied their specialist training in search and rescue, first aid and firefighting during different mock emergency scenarios within the Whynot Bord and Pillar operation, and on the surface at Maxwell Infrastructure.
In a tight competition, the Ashton team, captained by Michael Millgate, was named the overall winners of the day.
Michael said the win had been 20 years in the making.
“After 20 years, bringing the title back to Ashton is incredibly special; it’s a testament to the dedication of our team and everyone who has worked behind the scenes to get us here.
“At the start of the comp, there were a few nerves given the strength of the field, but everyone in the team knew their role and trusted our preparation.”
As with all Mines Rescue competitions, there are always some unexpected challenges…
“The first aid scenario really tested us; seven casualties under high pressure meant rapid triage, firm delegation and well-executed patient handovers. The team really kept a sense of urgency, and everyone knew exactly what to do,” said Michael.
“My vice-captain, Matt, was instrumental; calm, experienced and hands-on with the team communications. He kept us focused and running like clockwork.”
The Malabar team worked closely with Coal Services to get the competition up and running at site, something Whynot Bord and Pillar Mine Manager Damien Williams couldn’t have been more excited about.
“Being the 100th Anniversary of Mines Rescue, we couldn’t say no. Hats off to the Mines Rescue station guys and our team headed up by Mitch Whitall who really made the whole thing happen.
“We had two teams compete which was great to see. They learnt some valuable skills throughout the day and it was great for them to have the opportunity to practice those skills in a real work environment.
“In the event that something goes wrong, we need people who have the confidence and know-how to safely assess the situation and manage the emergency response. We watched our teams do exceptionally well and that gives me confidence as an operator that we have the right people on the job here at Maxwell Underground.
“The highlight of the day for me was having a photograph with our team in their full gear underground, I think they rolled their eyes, but I was proud of them. It was great to be able to show them that we appreciate what they do for us,” Damien said.
Matthew Enright, Regional Manager, Hunter Valley and Gunnedah Mines Rescue, said that these competitions are important days on the Mines Rescue calendar.
“Our Mines Rescue competitions are designed to challenge teams in scenarios that closely reflect real emergency situations. They test not only technical skills but also teamwork, communication, and calm decision-making that are critical in a response.
“These competitions are not just about who wins on the day; they’re of benefit for our entire mining community.”
