Western Australia’s top emergency response teams will put their life‑saving skills to the test next month, with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA’s 2026 Surface Mine Emergency Rescue Competition (SMERC) set to welcome public spectators for the first time since 2022.
Held at Northern Star Resources’ Hannan’s North Tourist Mine in Kalgoorlie on May 2 and 3, the event will see 16 teams from operations across the state compete in a series of high‑pressure, highly realistic crisis scenarios designed to mirror the challenges of real mine‑site emergencies. This year’s competition features the largest field since 2006.
Dedicated viewing areas will allow visitors to watch teams tackle disciplines including firefighting, vehicle extraction, rope rescue, first aid and team‑based problem solving. The Hannan’s North museum will remain open throughout the weekend, giving attendees the chance to explore the site’s 130‑year history and its role in shaping the Goldfields mining industry.
CME Mines Rescue Committee Chair Daniel Goss said opening the competition to the public offered a rare window into the precision, teamwork and training required to respond to emergencies in remote mining environments.
“These teams are highly skilled and operate in high‑pressure environments where clear thinking and teamwork are essential,” he said.
“Competitions like SMERC ensure those capabilities are continually tested and refined, so that if an incident does occur, the response is immediate and effective. It’s also an opportunity to showcase the strong safety culture that underpins Western Australia’s resources sector.”
SMERC, established in 1901, is one of the longest‑running safety competitions in the mining industry and plays a key role in strengthening emergency preparedness across surface operations. Many participating teams also support local emergency services, particularly in remote regions where mine‑site responders are often first on the scene for road crashes and other public incidents.
“Any large emergency on a mine site is often going to be more than that site alone can contend with, and it’s going to be your neighbours and other companies in the region that come to your aid,” Mr Goss said.
“At the end of the day, this is about making sure every worker goes home safely. By continually training, testing and learning from one another, these teams are ensuring they are ready for whatever challenges may arise.”