MLG Proud to Support the 2026 Surface Mine Emergency Response Competition

MLG was proud to play a part in one of Western Australia’s most important mine safety events, donating a trailer in support of the 2026 Surface Mine Emergency Response Competition (SMERC), hosted by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME) and the Mine Emergency Rescue Competition Committee.

Held at Hanna’s North Tourist Mine in the Goldfields and open to the public for the first time since 2022, SMERC brought together 14 teams from resources operations across WA to compete across a range of simulated emergency scenarios, including firefighting, vehicle extrication, rope rescue, confined space rescue, first aid, team skills and hazardous materials response.

A Second-Place Finish for Vehicle Extrication

MLG’s trailer was used as part of the Vehicle Extrication event, and the results spoke for themselves. After competing across all events, the 14 participating teams voted Vehicle Extrication as the second-best scenario of the entire weekend.

Why Events Like SMERC Matter

Established in 1903, SMERC is one of the longest-running safety competitions in the resources industry. It plays a vital role in strengthening emergency preparedness across surface mining operations, giving teams the opportunity to test and refine their skills in realistic, high-pressure conditions.

Many of the participating teams also assist local community emergency services, particularly in remote areas where mining operations are often the first point of response to road crashes and other incidents. The competition’s value extends well beyond the mine site.

This year’s event attracted strong community turnout and a near-record number of competing teams, a testament to the safety culture that runs deep across WA’s resources sector.

Congratulations to All Teams

Northern Star KCGM took top honours on the day, with Northern Star Thunderbox finishing runner-up and Gold Fields Combined coming in third. As winners, Northern Star KCGM will travel to the east coast to represent WA at next year’s Victorian Mine Rescue Competition.

Congratulations to every team that competed, and to the more than 100 industry volunteers and 40 local sponsors whose commitment makes SMERC possible year after year.

MLG is committed to supporting the communities and industries we work alongside, and sponsoring events like SMERC is one of the ways we put that commitment into action.