Ahead of Mine Rescue Day, Doe Run’s Mine Rescue Team Takes Top Honors In Annual Competition
26 Oct 2023
ST. LOUIS (October 26, 2023) – In honor of Mine Rescue Day October 30, The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) recognizes the dedication of its skilled mine rescue teams and celebrates their recent accomplishments at the 41st Annual Missouri Mine Rescue Competition. Doe Run’s Maroon team won first place in the mine rescue field competition and second place in the first aid competition. Doe Run’s Grey team was also successful, earning the top spot in the first aid competition and third place in the mine rescue field competition.
In addition to the group wins, Grey team members Mark Barton and Sara Laskowsky placed second in the team technician competition and Gary Moore placed second in the bench technician competition.
Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla hosted the annual contest with the Missouri Mine Rescue Association. The competition is the only one of its kind – held underground in the U.S. – and was attended by nine teams from six states.
“Each competition provides a unique challenge to test the teams’ skills,” said Andrew Hampton, Maroon team captain. “While I hope that our team will not have to face a real-life emergency in the mines, I am confident in our abilities to tackle any potential challenges.”
Doe Run’s mine rescue teams are critical for keeping employees safe in the event of an emergency. As part of the company’s underground safety program, mine rescue teams complete eight hours of training monthly. They do so on a voluntary basis. The teams compete in mine rescue competitions annually to keep their skills sharp and prepare them to help fellow miners in real-life situations. Companywide, Doe Run employees went through more than 37,000 hours of training in 2022, including extensive health and safety training. Employees also play an active role in sharing ideas and implementing innovative programs that address workplace safety.
Our mine rescue teams displayed remarkable amounts of effort and determination in their competition,” said Doe Run EHS Manager Kevin James. “The company takes pride in these teams and is grateful to have such reliable and exceptional individuals safeguarding against emergency situations.”
Doe Run’s focus on safety is evident beyond its mine rescue competitions. Several sites have gone years without a lost-time accident: Sweetwater Mill has reached 26 consecutive years with no lost time, Brushy Creek Mill has reached 17 years, and Buick Mill at 12 years. In addition, the Sweetwater Mine surface team has reached 19 years with no lost time.
About The Doe Run Company
Based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, The Doe Run Company is a privately held natural resources company providing vital minerals and metals to the global market. Dedicated to environmentally responsible mineral and metal production, Doe Run operates mines located in southeast Missouri from where it produces lead, zinc and copper concentrates. Doe Run also operates one of the world’s largest, single-site lead recycling centers, located in Boss, Missouri. Company mineral and metal resources contain lead, zinc, copper, cobalt, nickel, tin and antimony – all vital metals to support a more sustainable energy future. Doe Run has additional operations in Washington and Arizona. For more information, visit www.doerun.com.
Caption: Mine Rescue Field Competition first place winners of Doe Run’s Maroon mine rescue team, left to right: Luke Davis, Jacob Piatt, Jarred Tackett, Andrew Hampton (team captain), Brandon “Buck” Roderman, Richie Brewer and Ethan Kerr
Caption: Field competition 3rd place winners Doe Run’s Grey mine rescue team in black shirts, left to right: James Gamblin, Chris Brawley, Sara Laskowsky, Eric Click (Team Captain), Mitchel Kisser, Gary Moore Jr., and Mark Barton, pictured with Ray Cartwright, Mining Safety Health Administration (MSHA) Specialist, Madisonville District; and Dewayne Phelps, contest director
Caption: Team technician second place winners from Doe Run’s Grey team, left to right: Mark Barton and Sara Laskowsky
Caption: Bench Technician second place winner from Doe Run’s Grey team, Gary Moore
Additional photos:
Caption: First Aid Competition first place winners from Doe Run’s Grey mine rescue team, left to right: James Gamblin, Chris Brawley, and Eric Click
Caption: First Aid Competition second place winners from Doe Run’s Maroon mine rescue team, left to right: Jarred Tackett, Richie Brewer, and Buck Roderman
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