Taseko Talks

Gibraltar Mine Rescue Team turns in Award-Winning Performance during 65th Annual BC Mine Rescue & First Aid Competition

The 65th annual BC Mine Rescue & First Aid competition, showcasing the specialized emergency response training of mine rescue teams from around the province, was held June 15 – 17, 2023 in Taseko and Gibraltar’s hometown of Williams Lake.

Co-hosted by the Mining Association of BC and the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation over two days of competition, the event consisted of the South-Central Zone Competition and the Provincial Mine Rescue Competition.

Of the 64 Gibraltar men and women that serve on the Mine Rescue teams, seven were selected for the South Central Zone Surface Team and three of the seven were selected for the 3-person First Aid Team.

Both teams had excellent performances during the June 15 zone competition, with six first place finishes in the seven task event and one 2^nd place finish in the three task event - qualifying both teams for the Provincial Competition.

During the Provincial Competition held June 17, Gibraltar competed against Mine Rescue teams from operations throughout British Columbia – including Highland Valley Copper, Mount Polley, Mount Milligan, Fording River & Greenhills.

Captain Wendell Owen, Jordan Blois and Heidi Symons from Gibraltar’s 3-person First Aid team had outstanding performances, winning the competition and receiving recognition as Best First Aid for Surface Team.

Richard Tremblay, Senior Vice President of Operations for Taseko, commented “Congratulations to the men and women of Gibraltar’s Mine Rescue team on their strong performance at both the South-Central Zone and Provincial Mine Rescue Competitions. The outcome of the competitions not only shows the dedication of Gibraltar’s Mine Rescue team in keeping our crews safe, but also their commitment and passion for their jobs and performing at award-winning levels.”

Mr. Tremblay concluded, “It was great to have the Gibraltar Team demonstrate their skills to a hometown crowd, and for the team to win the first aid overall award for surface mine rescue.”

• Captain Todd Voth
• Vice-Captain Jono Neufeld
• Brian Getson
• Shawn Shaw
• Wendell Owen
• Heidi Symons
• Spare Jordan Blois
• Coached by Cyndi van Alphen, assisted by Ron MacEachern

• Captain Wendell Owen
• Jordan Blois
• Heidi Symons

Gibraltar Awards:

• Jim Balmer Memorial Trophy 1^st Place Bench Task
• South Central Zone Trophy 1^st Place Written
• Dick Suttie Memorial Trophy 1^st Place First Aid Task
• South Central Zone Best Captain – Todd Voth
• Best Overall Captains Performance Surface Zone – Todd Voth
• Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources Annual Trophy Surface Mine Rescue Competition 1^st Place Overall

• South Central Zone 3 Person First Aid 2^nd place
• Best First Aid for Surface Team

• Best First Aid for Surface Team