Mine Emergency Response Competitions

The Goldfields Mine Emergency Rescue Competition started in the Goldfields in 1903, with regular competitions taking place from 1911.

The competitions play an integral part in mine site emergency training, offering competing teams the opportunity to test and hone their emergency response skills through simulated emergency situations while sharing their experience and knowledge with fellow participants.

CME and the Mine Emergency Rescue Competition Committee host two mine competitions each year, the Surface Mine Emergency Rescue Competition (SMERC) in April/May and the Underground Mine Emergency Rescue Competition (UMERC) in November.

Teams compete in multiple events, including:

• Firefighting (SMERC)
• Vehicle Extrication (SMERC)
• Search and Rescue (UMERC)
• Breathing Apparatus Skills (UMERC)
• Theory
• Team Skills
• Rope Rescue
• Overall First Aid
• Incident Management

The competitions attract 10-15 competing teams from the Goldfields region, more than 40 local sponsors, and more than 100 industry volunteers.

For competition enquiries, please contact merc@cmewa.com.