CADIZ, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Mineral Resources Management will hold a mine safety competition to evaluate Ohio mine rescue teams' abilities to assess emergency situations and use problem-solving skills that could save lives during an actual mine emergency.

During the 1st Annual Ohio Mine Safety Competition on October 9, eight of Ohio's' mine rescue teams will travel through a simulated mine and encounter multiple simulated hazards as might be found in an actual emergency. The teams will be assigned the same emergency problem and will be evaluated by state and federal mine inspectors on their procedures and speed. Two courses will run simultaneously and teams will be sequestered until it is their turn to compete.

"There are many potential hazards in the mining industry, and this competition is one tool the Division of Mineral Resources Management is using to make sure our rescue teams are prepared for emergency response," said ODNR Director Sean Logan.

The Ohio Mine Safety Competition will be held at the Sally Buffalo Park in Cadiz and begins at 8 a.m. The general public is encouraged to attend.  Participating rescue teams will represent the following coal mines:

• Ohio Valley Coal - Powhatan No. 6 Mine - Alledonia, OH
• American Energy Corporation - Century Mine - Beallsville, OH
• Buckingham Coal Company - Glouster, OH
• Hopedale Mining - Cadiz, OH
• Mountain Spring Coal Company - Hammondsville, OH
• Rosebud Mining Company (Tusky Mine) - Tuscarawas Co.
• Sterling Mining Corporation Sterling Mine - North Lima, OH

ODNR is partnering with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, Pennsylvania Bureau of Deep Mine Safety and West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training to stage the event.

The Ohio Mine Safety Competition will count toward one of the two federally required mine safety and rescue programs that miners must annually complete.

"Our agency is committed to mine safety and to the continuing development of effective accident prevention programs," said Logan.

The ODNR Mineral Resources Management provides for the safe and environmentally sound development and restoration of mineral and fossil fuel extraction sites. 

 

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