A group of 13 mining engineering students from Laurentian University and the University of Toronto gave up their February study break to take a four-day mine rescue course organized by the Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association (MASHA).
The students spent one day in the classroom, where they learned about the dangers of mine gases, the functions of various team members, procedures, and the history of mine rescue.
Then they learned how to assemble and disassemble their breathing apparatus, something that is critical in any mine rescue team, said Rudd.
“The breathing apparatus, to the mine rescue person, is like a parachute to a parachutist. You pack your own parachute,” he said.
“They learn all the functions of the breathing apparatus so they can service it and do rudimentary repairs. They can diagnose problems. Their life depends on it. They have to check all the functions within that pack.”
The next day, they spent time doing mine rescue simulations at Vale Inco's Garson Mine. Each team member has a function, such as monitoring gases, carrying the first aid gear or keeping a record of what happens.
“They go to an isolated area and they set off smoke bombs. Then they have to go and find a miner and go through the procedures as if it were a real fire,” said Rudd.
“They're under the guidance of some of the best instructors in the world. These mine rescue instructors go all over the world to help mining companies set up their mine rescue teams.”
At the end of the course, they received a basic mine rescue diploma. About half of all mining engineering students from both universities complete the course at some point during their four years of post-secondary education, said Rudd.
When the students have completed their education and are out on the job, they may elect to join the mine rescue team at their particular workplace.
There, they will receive more advanced training and have the opportunity to compete in mine rescue competitions, he said. Mine rescue teams have saved countless lives, Rudd said.
“These guys have an incredible record. Malcolm Smith, who used to be the manager of Ontario Mine Rescue, went to Australia to set up mine rescue there, and then he went to Saskatchewan. They had a mine fire last year that trapped 45 miners. Because of the procedure he set up, they were all saved, and nobody got a scratch.”
Matlhogonolo Mooketsana, a second-year chemical engineering student at Laurentian, was one of the students who took the mine rescue course.
The young woman is an international student from Botswana. She said she is excited to take her knowledge of mine rescue back to her country to improve the safety of mines there.
“I've learned that it's important to work as a team because, when you are in a rescue situation, you need to co-operate so you can help others. I've also learned that speed is important. You have to be on time,” she said.
“Tomorrow we are going underground and I will see what it takes. But I think I can do it.”
