Coal mining rescue teams from NSW and Queensland battled it out for the 2017 Mining Rescue Championships on Thursday.
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Teams from Tahmoor, Newcastle, Springvale and Hunter Valley mines represented NSW while teams from Kestrel, Moranbah North, Broadmeadow and Grosvenor mines represented Queensland.
The teams who had earned their place through state qualifiers converged on Whitehaven Coal’s Narrabri North mine to compete in a series of drills and exercises.
General Manger of NSW Mines Rescue, Matthew Fellowes said the event was a professional stepping stone for the rescue teams.
“It is a real career pathway for our future leaders,” Mr Fellowes said.
“Certainly the training they get and the knowledge they get from these events is a wonderful learning platform for them to progress to higher levels within our industry.”
Mr Felllowes commended Whitehaven Coal for hosting the event.
“Hosting an event like this is a significant investment in time and resources but critically important to ensuring the health, safety and well being of our mine workers,” he said.
Chief Assessor of Queensland Mines Rescue, Ray Smith said the teams enjoyed each others company.
“I’ve been telling my group that it’s not about the trophy,” Mr Smith said.
“For me it’s about what we can learn from this competition that will improve our individual skills and our teamwork skills.”
Peabody Energy’s Wambo mine claimed top honours, announced at a ceremony at the Narrabri RSL.