Image: Ontario Mine Rescue
Ontario Mine Rescue announced Glencore Kidd Operations as winners of the 2025 Provincial Competition, during Friday’s awards ceremony. Rising to the top among eight exceptional teams from across the province, the Timmins-based rescuers demonstrated skill, teamwork, and dedication to mine rescue efforts.
The eight teams put their emergency response skills to the test in a high-stakes scenario hosted at Glencore Kidd Operations mine in Timmins. All teams successfully completed the challenging underground rescue scenario, demonstrating the depth of training and capability across Ontario’s mine rescue community.
This year’s competition started by responding swiftly to a report of a vehicle collision and underground fire. Upon arrival, they assisted a distraught and injured supervisor to the surface before advancing toward the scene.
There, they worked quickly to extinguish a vehicle fire, safely free a pinned worker and escorted him to safety. The worker informed the team of another unconscious casualty inside a transmixer tank – in this case, they were expected to use specific packaging and breathing equipment to stabilize and evacuate the unconscious casualty from this confined space.
In coordination with a control group and a second response team, they ensured the area was free of hazardous gases and secured for safe access. Meanwhile, mine rescue technicians were tasked with servicing critical life-saving equipment, including a CAREvent and BG4 unit, reinforcing the importance of operational readiness and equipment maintenance in emergency scenarios.
“Each time a team successfully completes a complex competition scenario, they become stronger and more prepared as real-world responders—and that’s the true purpose of these events,” Shawn Rideout, Chief Mine Rescue Officer said in a statement.
“This year’s competition was tough, but every team rose to the occasion. I’m incredibly proud of their professionalism and commitment.”
The scenario offered a realistic and demanding challenge, mirroring the types of emergencies that mine rescue personnel may face in real life. It also served as essential training ahead of the International Mine Rescue Competition (IMRC) in Zambia, where the provincial team will represent Ontario on the global stage in 2026.
The overall winning teams of the competition, including the champions, are:
Glencore, Kidd Operations
Captain Clint Scripnick
#2 Gilles Paradis
#3 Michael Murphy
#4 Matthew Richards
Vice Captain Randy Gagnon
#6 Reid Murray
#7 Michael Bennett
Briefing Officer James Comeau
Coaches: Heather Deschene and Bob Riva
Mine Rescue Officers: Jason Leger and Mat Johnson
Runner Up – Glencore Sudbury INO, Fraser & Nickel Rim South Mines
Individual Technician Competition
1st – Caolan Browne, Agnico Eagle Ltd.
2nd – Kyle Ouellette, Alamos Island Gold
3rd – Dominic Gervais, Lake Shore Gold
Team Special Equipment Award – Glencore Sudbury INO, Fraser & Nickel Rim South Mines
Team First Aid Award – Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Macassa Mine
Team Firefighting Award – Glencore Sudbury INO, Fraser & Nickel Rim South Mines
Team Theory Exam Award – Glencore Sudbury INO, Fraser & Nickel Rim South Mines
Briefing Officer Award – Shawn St. Louis, Vale East Mines
Mine rescue competitions have occurred annually since 1950, acting as a province-wide, standardized evaluation of mine rescue volunteers across Ontario. The event spans two months, showcasing the unwavering dedication of miners who constantly train to improve their knowledge and capabilities for the safety of their fellow miners and communities.