Contact: Kristin Gumper
(314) 469-3500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DOE RUN MINE RESCUE TEAM EXCELS
IN REGIONAL MINE RESCUE COMPETITION
Team secures first place win overall, among nation’s top competitors
ST. LOUIS (August 7, 2009) – In the mining business, few issues are more important than safety. To ensure the safety of its employees,
The Doe Run Company actively trains and tests the skills of its mine rescue teams throughout the year. From July 21-23, Doe Run’s Gray Team competed in the
2009 Metal/Nonmetal Mine Rescue Contest in Idaho Springs, Colo., against some of the top teams in the nation. Underscoring their safety prowess, Doe Run’s group captured the prestigious award for first place team overall, as well as several top team and individual awards.
In addition to its first place win, Doe Run’s Gray Team won second place in the Mine Field Problem, which takes place in a simulated mine using the same equipment employed in an actual underground rescue. Garry Moore Jr., a Gray Team member from Doe Run’s Sweetwater Mine, took first place in the BG4 Competition, and Ken Wood, a member of the surface maintenance crew from Doe Run’s Fletcher Mine, secured third place in the Gas Bench Contest. Both competitions assess crucial skills used in underground mine rescue. Competitors are judged on how quickly and accurately they identify and repair defects in emergency equipment, such as breathing devices and gas monitors.
In addition to Moore and Wood, Gray Team members include Wayne Marlin (captain), Randal Hill, William Johnston, Carl Mann, Brad Beck, Charlie Walker and Bill Johnston, and team trainers Shawn Pratt and Dan King.
A smaller team made up of Pratt, Mann, Moore, Denny Dickerson and Brad Beck also entered The Edgar Mine Challenge on July 21. The Challenge took place during the Mine Rescue Contest, but served as a separate competition. Designed to encourage teamwork, the competition offers participants the opportunity to work with innovative mine rescue tools. It involves a confined-space maze, live fire extinguisher challenge, ventilation control, equipment extrication and smoke exploration using thermal imaging. Although Doe Run’s team members did not have previous exposure to the equipment used, they captured an impressive first place finish.
“We participate in some of the most challenging competitions across the country, so our rescue teams can improve their skills and measure their success among best-in-class competitors,” said Denis Murphy, safety and environmental manager at Doe Run’s
Southeast Missouri Mining and Milling Division (SEMO). “They’ve demonstrated time and again that they have the knowledge and skills to perform well under pressure, which is critical in the event of an actual mine emergency. On behalf of Doe Run, we appreciate their effort, and their unwavering commitment to keeping us safe.”
Doe Run competed against 11 teams including: Great Basin Gold Limited, San Juan Cooperative, WIPP Silver, The Mosaic Company, Vulcan Materials Company, Colorado Front Range, Barrick Gold Corporation, Solvay Chemicals and Climax Henderson.
On average, Doe Run’s teams dedicate more than 40 hours per month, outside of their regular work schedules, to prepare for competition season. Later this year, Doe Run’s teams will gear-up for the Southeast Missouri Mine Rescue Contest in October.
In addition to the 2009 wins, Doe Run earned top honors in several competitions in 2008, including: the Southern Regional Mine Rescue Contest in New Iberia, La.; the National Mine Rescue Contest in Reno, Nev.; and the Southeast Missouri Mine Rescue Contest in Rolla, Mo.