Dysart mines rescue team the world’s best

A mines rescue team from Dysart in the Bowen Basin has won an international competition in Nevada, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

Mr Wilson said the seven-strong Moranbah North Mine team, from the Dysart Rescue Station, was trained by Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS).

In the competition, it faced coal mine teams from around the world, including China, Peru, Ukraine, Poland, Canada and 32 teams from the United States of America.

The Minister, who will visit the Dysart Rescue Station tomorrow (6 September), said no-one should be surprised at the win.

“The Queensland Mines Rescue Service has been in the business of safety and training for more than 99 years, and have an international reputation for world’s best practice,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson said the QMRS also operated the world’s best equipment, with two jet engine-powered machines to snuff out underground coal fires using jet exhaust gases which starve the fire of oxygen.

“These jet units are only available in four locations worldwide and the QMRS put theirs to good use in Virginia five years ago when they extinguished a mine fire which had defied normal methods of control.

“The Americans were so impressed they subsequently bought their own.”

The Dysart Rescue Station services 14 underground coal mines in the region, 13 of which have a rescue sub-station on site where all the necessary equipment is stored.

Mr Wilson said the QMRS, an independent rescue service funded by an industry levy, managed a team of 338 volunteer rescue personnel statewide.

“The QMRS helps make Queensland’s mining industry one of the safest in the world.

“While we do have this strong safety record, everyone involved in the industry mine by mine, employer by employer, worker by worker wants it to stay that way.”

Media inquiries: Minister’s office 3224 7332