Thirteen teams will compete in a history-making CME Underground Mine Emergency Response Competition (UMERC) at FMR Resources’ Gordon Sirdar Underground Gold Mine from October 30 to November 1.
UMERC 2026 will boast one of its largest fields in a decade, with teams to be tested across three days of highly realistic disaster scenarios designed to assess core underground technical skills including firefighting, search and rescue, breathing apparatus operation, vertical rescue, first aid, incident management, team coordination and theory.
The competition will feature the world-first deployment of Dräger BG ProAir closed-circuit breathing apparatus in a scenario requiring operation in a submerged underground environment.
Competing team members will also have their locations, equipment status and biometric data dynamically tracked in real-time and use underground robotics for remote reconnaissance, thermal imaging and hazardous environment assessment.
CME Mines Rescue Committee Chair Daniel Goss said UMERC was far more than a mines rescue competition, providing a critical platform for capability development and team building between emergency response teams (ERTs).
“Resources companies make significant investments in emergency response capability, and UMERC is where those capabilities are tested, validated and strengthened under realistic operational conditions,” Mr Goss said.
“The competition showcases leading rescue technologies, emerging operational techniques and collaborative response capabilities that have direct relevance to both the resources sector and the broader emergency management community.
“Beyond the practical tests, UMERC strengthens relationships between mine emergency response teams (ERTs) and government emergency services, helping build a more integrated response capability across Western Australia.
“Minesite ERTs are frequently the first responders to incidents on public roads, including crashes, and play a vital role supporting emergency services across regional and remote Western Australia.
“UMERC prides itself on its life-like, high pressure scenarios which provide an ideal training environment to improve preparedness, coordination and operational effectiveness so that teams are ready when disaster strikes.”
Mr Goss said UMERC helped ensure first responders were up to date with the constantly evolving technology and techniques used in mines rescue.
“When lives are on the line, rescuers need confidence in their equipment, their training and each other,” Mr Goss said.
“”What sets UMERC apart is the realism of its scenarios. Teams are placed under pressure in complex, life-like incidents that test decision-making, teamwork and technical skills, ensuring responders are better prepared and ready to perform when lives depend on it.
“While the rivalry between teams is fierce, the real prize is better prepared responders and safer workplaces and communities across regional WA.”
Participating teams:
- 29Metals – Golden Grove
- AngloGold Ashanti – Sunrise Dam
- AngloGold Ashanti – Tropicana
- Evolution Mining – Mungari
- FMR Investments – Gordon Sirdar
- Gensis Minerals – Leonora Operations
- Gold Fields – Combined
- Liontown – Kathleen Valley
- Northern Star – Kalgoorlie Operations
- Northern Star – KCGM
- Regis Resources
- WASM MRT
- Westgold – Combined
Media contacts:
Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719
Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382