Mine rescue and first aid competition
Last updated on June 10, 2026Provincial mine rescue and first aid competitions are annual events since the 1900s. The competition brings together mine rescue teams to test their emergency response abilities.
The Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (the Code) requires all mines in B.C to have emergency response capabilities. The B.C. mining industry is a worldwide model for health and safety practices.
The ministry supports the competition to ensure mine rescue competence. Enabling mines to maintain training and procedures in the event of an emergency.
Competition categories
The mine rescue and first aid competition tests teams knowledge of the Western Canada Mine Rescue Manual in three main categories:
Three person first aid
- Demonstration of basic first aid in a simulated emergency
Surface mine rescue
- Extrication
- Rope
- Practical bench skills
- First aid
- Written exam
Underground mine rescue
- Obstacle and recovery
- Donning bench
- Fire fighting
- Practical bench skills
- First aid
- Written exam
Western Region Mine Rescue Competition, hosted biennially by the City of Fernie, B.C.
2026 competition results
The 68th Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition took place in Penticton, BC in May 2026.
Three person first aid competition
| Trophy | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Kathy Lofstrom Memorial Trophy | Best coach for three person team | Jen Virtue & Alex Issac, Elk Valley Resources – Line Creek |
| Best written for three person team | Elk Valley Resources – Line Creek | |
| Three Person First Aid Trophy | Best three person team | Elk Valley Resources – Line Creek |
Surface mine rescue
| Trophy | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Ron Brow Memorial Trophy | Best extrication | Centerra – Mount Milligan |
| Maurice Boisse Memorial Trophy | Best practical bench skills | Centerra – Mount Milligan |
| East Kootenay Mines Industrial Safety Association Trophy | Best written score | Elk Valley Resources – Line Creek |
| East Kootenay Mines Industrial Safety Association Mine Rescue Memorial Trophy | Best rope team task | Hudbay – Copper Mountain |
| North South Central First Aid Trophy | Best first aid | Hudbay – Copper Mountain |
| Levitt-Safety Fire Trophy | Best fire | Elk Valley Resources – Line Creek |
| EKMISA Best Captain’s Award | Best captain | Harley Marshall, Elk Valley Resources – Line Creek |
| HVC Highest Non-Aggregate Points Trophy | Highest points (non-aggregate) | Elk Valley Resources – Line Creek |
| Overall Surface Mine Rescue Winner | Highest aggregate (best overall) | Elk Valley Resources – Line Creek |
Underground mine rescue
| Trophy | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Best Bench Technician Trophy | Best bench technician | Matt Hanson, Newmont – Red Chris |
| USWA Mine Mill Trophy | Best underground coordinator | Sean Fong, Newmont – Brucejack |
| Richard Booth Award | Best written score | Newmont – Brucejack |
| Sullivan Cup | Best first aid | Newmont – Brucejack |
| Barry Abbott Memorial Trophy | Best practical bench skills | Newmont – Brucejack |
| Best Performance in Underground Smoke | Best smoke | Newmont – Brucejack |
| Keith Bracewell Memorial Award | Best obstacle and recovery | Newmont – Red Chris |
| Levitt-Safety Fire Trophy | Best fire | Newmont – Red Chris |
| Overall Underground Mine Rescue Winner | Highest score (best overall team) | Newmont – Red Chris |