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De Beers Canada congratulates the Gahcho Kué Mine Rescue Team for a strong performance at the 13th biennial National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition in Fernie, B.C. Sept. 8-9, where the team won the Surface Smoke Search event in their first-ever appearance at the competition.
As the top surface mine rescue team at this year’s annual NWT/Nunavut Mine Rescue Competition in Yellowknife June 9-10, the Gahcho Kué team earned a spot in the National-level event and went up against nine of the best surface mine rescue teams from across Western Canada and two U.S. states. The seven-person Gahcho Kué team competition team, featuring both males and females, represented more than 45 other colleagues who also volunteer as Emergency Responders at the remote mine in the Northwest Territories. This was just the third time ever that the team took part in a competition.
De Beers Canada Chief Executive Kim Truter says the team has a lot to be proud of. “To be named the top surface mine rescue team in the NWT and earn the right to compete in the National Western Region Mine Rescue Competition speaks to the culture of excellence established at Gahcho Kué Mine,” said Truter. “For the team to win a trophy at the national level is another important milestone for our young mine, especially where we have only been in commercial production for just six months.”
The competition was a great opportunity for the team to learn new skills by competing alongside mine rescue teams from long-established operations from across Western Canada and the U.S.
Gahcho Kué Mine General Manager Allan Rodel attended the event and said the team’s performance this year is setting a high standard for everyone at the mine. “The Gahcho Kué team demonstrated how our employees are using their diversity, skill and experience as an incredible source of strength. This is the team’s third ever competition and for them to do so well at the territorial and national level in just their first year speaks to the commitment to safety and professionalism by the team.”
De Beers Canada also congratulates mine rescue team members from Dominion Diamond Corporation and Diavik Diamond Mine for their performance in the Surface and Underground competitions at the Fernie event.
Gahcho Kué Mine is located 280 km northeast of Yellowknife, NWT. The mine, a joint venture between De Beers Canada (51% - the Operator) and Mountain Province Diamonds (49%), began commercial production in March 2017 following two years of construction. The mine will recover an average of 4.5 million carats of diamonds annually during a 12 year life of mine.