International Mines Rescue Competition


The International Mines Rescue Competition is a biennial event which facilitates the testing of underground emergency response capability across global mining and Mine Rescue jurisdictions. The competition is held by the governing mine rescue body of the host nation or jurisdiction.
The purpose of the IMRC is to present realistic simulations that will allow organizers to:
  • 1. Evaluate skills required to perform rescue operations in a mining environment.
  • 2. Judge participants in an open and transparent manner.
  • 3. Provide feedback to all participants.
  • 4. Promote Mine Rescue through improved communication, co-operation and knowledge transfer between responders, mine operators, suppliers, regulators and educators.

International Mine Rescue Competitions

YearAnnual CompetitionOverall Champions2nd Overall3rd OverallLocationCity / Venue
19981stUnited StatesTBDTBDUnited StatesLouisville
20002ndPolandTBDTBDUnited StatesLas Vegas
20023rdUnited StatesTBDTBDUnited StatesReno
20044thPolandTBDTBDPolandGlogow
20065thChinaTBDTBDChinaPingdingshan
20086thAustraliaTBDTBDUnited StatesReno
20107thAustraliaTBDTBDAustraliaWoonona
20128thUkraineTBDTBDUkraineDonetsk
20149thPoland - Central Mine Rescue Station - BytomTBDTBDPolandKatowice
201610th Canada - Kirkland Lake GoldIreland - Boliden Tara MinePoland - KGHM White EaglesCanadaSudbury
201811thTBDTBDTBDRussiaNovokuznetsk

2016 International Mine Rescue Competition

Ontario Mine Rescue hosted the 10th International Mines Rescue Competition (IMRC 2016) in Sudbury, Ontario. The 2016 event marked the first time the competition was held in Canada.
EventParticipationOverall Champions2nd Overall3rd OverallLocation/Venue
TechnicianOptional Russia - EMERCOMChina - Shaanxi Coal and Chemical GroupUSA - MSHANORCAT Training Center
Theory ExamMandatoryCanada - Compass Minerals Goderich MineInternational - Goldcorp AmericasCanada - Vale Sudbury West MinesCambrian College
First AidOptional Australia - Peabody Energy Wambo CoalIreland - Boliden Tara MinesCanada - Cameco McArthur River MineVale 175 Orebody
High Angle Rope RescueOptional Poland - KGHM White EaglesCanada - Cameco McArthur River MineCanada - Vale Sudbury West MinesDynamic Earth Chasm
Underground FirefightingMandatoryPoland - Weglokoks Kraj BytomUSA - MSHACanada - Cameco McArthur River MineLively Underground Research Center
Underground Mine RescueMandatory Canada - Kirkland Lake GoldCanada - Compass Minerals Goderich MineIreland - Boliden Tara MinesVale 114 Orebody
OverallN / A Canada - Kirkland Lake GoldIreland - Boliden Tara MinePoland - KGHM White EaglesSudbury