Zambia Earns Praise as It Hosts International Mine Rescue Competition
The 14th International Mine Rescue Competition (IMRC) 2026 concluded in Zambia with strong calls for improved safety standards and a renewed global commitment to protecting lives in the mining industry.
Held in Livingstone, the event brought together rescue teams from across the world to test emergency response skills under internationally standardised conditions, placing Zambia at the centre of global mine rescue excellence.
First Quantum’s Kansanshi Mining Plc General Manager, Meiring Burger, highlighted the importance of safety over production.
“No production is worth any life. This competition is about strengthening mine safety across different spheres, and the infrastructure we are building will help grow capacity into the future,” he said.
Minerals Regulation Coordinator, Yotum Chulu, noted that Zambia’s hosting of the event had set a strong benchmark, with outcomes expected to inform future safety practices and regulatory improvements globally.
Significant investment by host mines Kansanshi Mining Plc and Mopani Copper Mines was highlighted as part of a long-term effort to strengthen emergency preparedness and embed safety culture across operations.
The competition delivered intense results across multiple categories. Australia secured victory in Rope Rescue, while China’s Shandong Energy topped the Skills and Obstacles category. In First Aid, Australia’s Moranbah North team took first place, and India’s Coal India led the Technician category. Underground Rescue was won by Singareni Coal Mine India, while Fire Rescue saw another win for Moranbah North Australia.
Overall, Coal India emerged as the global champion, followed by Zambia’s Mopani Copper Mines in second place and Glencore Kidd Operations Canada in third.
Zambia also earned recognition, with Mopani Copper Mines securing top placements in several disciplines, reflecting growing local capacity in mine emergency response.
The Zambia Chamber of Mines presented special recognition awards to industry professionals including FQM Africa Group Safety Manager Eric Cousins and Kansanshi Mine Emergency Services Superintendent Chris Hale for their contribution to mine safety development.
Beyond competition results, participants emphasised that the event’s true value lay in collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shared learning aimed at preventing future disasters.
As the championship concluded, a unified message echoed through the industry: the ultimate success of mine rescue efforts will be measured not by medals, but by lives protected and saved.
