The team finished second overall, taking out first place in firefighting, theory and first aid.

The team from CMOC-Northparkes Mines (Northparkes) was competing in the Victorian Mine Rescue Competition.

This well-respected national competition has been held for 24 years, and attracts around 10 teams from mines across Australia.

The Northparkes Emergency Response Team came second overall, taking out first place in firefighting, theory and first aid.

Northparkes Managing Director Jim Fowler said: “We are enormously proud of our competition team.

“Our consistent success at this competition reflects the team’s hard work to stay at the leading edge of emergency response practices.

“Congratulations to the winning team from Newcrest-Cadia. It’s great to see another company operating in Central West NSW bring home the trophy,” he said.

The 2017 competition took place in Yallourn, at Energy Australia’s Power Station.

Teams competed in a number of challenges demonstrating theoretical and practical mine rescue skills across three days.

Northparkes currently has 24 active Emergency Response Team (ERT) members who train year-round to ensure they are ready to assist in case of an emergency.

The 2017 competition team comprised of ERT members Jack Medlyn (captain), Wayne Sargent, Ben Ryan, Linda Snyman, Jade Walker, Jamie Pope and Matt Flynn.

Northparkes Manager People, Safety and Environment Stacey Kelly said “Zero Harm Operations is our approach to all we do, and our ability to respond to emergency scenarios is a critical part of this. Competitions such as this allow us to practice our skills and benchmark ourselves against others in the industry.”

“The entire Northparkes ERT works extremely hard throughout the year to ensure we are always at the top of our game,” she said.