Oil Search wins emergency challenge

 OIL Search Ltd has proved yet again to be the champions of the National Mining Emergency Response Challenge for the third consecutive year, taking out the “best overall team” award this year.

The 5th NMERC 2015 was hosted by Ramu Nickel mine in Madang and was held on Aug 24-25 at the Divine Word University and Maritime College.

The team expressed gratitude towards the management of Oil Search for its support and commitment to the team. 

Companies that took part were Porgera, Ramu NiCo with two teams, Newcrest Lihir with two teams including a female team, Simberi, Hidden Valley and Oil Search.

Chief Inspector of Mines Mohan Singh said Oil Search’s continuous excellent performance over the last three years was a testimony and demonstration of their superiority over their counterparts in the mining industry. 

He said that could be largely accrued to their efforts and inputs in terms of resources, training, skills coupled with commitment and determination at all levels. 

“They are, in fact, awaiting the mining industry to challenge them which I would like to see happening sooner rather than later.”  

In the challenge, participating teams were judged on how they responded to artificially created emergency scenarios such as rope rescue, firefighting, search and rescue, first aid and hazchem (hazardous chemicals). 

They were also assessed on theory and endurance apart from a “Question of the Chief Inspector”. 

The winning teams and individuals were awarded trophies and shields. 

All participating mines and organisers received souvenirs from the Mineral Resources Authority in recognition for their contribution, co-operation and participation. 

“The challenge provides an excellent opportunity for benchmarking against industry standards and contributes to the development of both a safe working environment and a safer community,” Singh said.