04 October 2023
The general public will be able to watch for the first time an emergency response competition where teams put their safety and rescue skills to the test.
The South Australian Mines Emergency Response Competition (SAMERC) is traditionally held on remote mine sites but will this year be held in the heart of Whyalla from October 13-15.
The 2023 event is being hosted by principal sponsor SIMEC mining, which is part of the GFG Alliance along with Whyalla Steelworks operator LIBERTY Primary Steel.
A number of exercises will be held around the Whyalla foreshore area and other locations in the city where the general public can see the teams in action.
Seven teams will compete in the competition, designed to test their skills and knowledge in the event they are called on to respond to a mine emergency.
The seven competing teams are SIMEC, Carrapateena, Jacinth-Ambrosia, Kanmantoo Copper, Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill and defending champion Cadia Valley.
The competition is being staged as part of National Safe Work Month activities.
The teams will be competing for the SAMERC Perpetual Trophy with trophies also awarded to the winners of each event along with Best Team Captain and a SAMERC Chairman’s Award for the team that best demonstrates the values of the competition.
SafeWork SA is a premium sponsor along with Byrnecut Australia, Fire and Safety Australia, South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy, Raisebore Australia, Iluka Mining and Whyalla City Council.
The events include First Aid, Fire Fighting, Vertical Rescue, Search and Rescue, Industrial Rescue, Road Crash Rescue, Confined Space Rescue and Surface Rescue.
The change in site format is in recognition of the GFG Alliance presence in Whyalla with its SIMEC Mining and LIBERTY Primary Steel operations and its ongoing working relationship with the City of Whyalla.
City of Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone said the arrival of the 120 competitors would provide a boost for the Spencer Gulf city.
‘This is going to be a great experience for Whyalla locals to see these brave men and women competing in some spectacular exercises and drills,’ he said.
‘It is an honour and great news for Whyalla to be the first location where SAMERC is held in full public view, enabling the community to come along and admire these teams and their amazing skills and capabilities.’
Further links