PotashCorp teams earned top honors in the underground and surface divisions at the 48th Annual Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition held in Saskatoon on June 4.

PotashCorp Lanigan finished first overall in the underground division and PotashCorp Patience Lake was the first-place surface team.

The competition, which drew 18 teams from across Saskatchewan, includes five separate events: Fire Fighting, First Aid, Proficiency Skills, Practical Skills and simulated Surface and Underground Mine Problems.

The events are designed to test the miners’ abilities and knowledge in emergency situations that can arise at their sites.

“Our mine rescue teams are an integral part of our company’s operations,” said Mark Fracchia, President, PCS Potash. “Thanks to them, our employees can go to work each day knowing there are trained, knowledgeable responders on site if ever needed.

“We are grateful for their dedication and commitment to emergency response and the high level of expertise they have acquired.”

OVERALL Surface Winner: PotashCorp Patience Lake Underground Winner: PotashCorp Lanigan

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

FIRST AID Surface Winner: PotashCorp Patience Lake Underground Runner-Up: PotashCorp Cory

FIRE FIGHTING Surface Winner: PotashCorp Patience Lake Underground Runner-Up: PotashCorp Lanigan

PROFICIENCY Surface Winner: PotashCorp Patience Lake Underground Winner: PotashCorp Lanigan Underground Runner-Up: PotashCorp Rocanville

PRACTICAL SKILLS Underground Winner: PotashCorp Lanigan

SURFACE FIELD PROBLEM Surface Winner: PotashCorp Patience Lake

UNDERGROUND MINE PROBLEM Underground Winner: PotashCorp Lanigan