Sister mines Moranbah North and Grosvenor have once again proven their safety and emergency response excellence, taking out first and second place in the 2025 Australian mines rescue competition.
It marks a back-to-back win for Moranbah North, which also won in 2024, while Grosvenor continues its strong form after winning in 2023.
Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS) and Coal Services NSW Mines Rescue hosted the 61st Australian Underground Coal Mines Rescue Competition at BMA’s Broadmeadow Mine in Moranbah on Thursday 23 October.
The prestigious event brought together eight of the nation’s best mines rescue teams from Queensland and New South Wales, showcasing their skills, teamwork, and commitment to safety in a series of challenging underground emergency response scenarios.
Experienced assessors designed tests for firefighting, search and rescue, first aid, hazard awareness, and team management across realistic and high-pressure situations.
Moranbah North Mine captain Jason Seaborn said the result reflected the hard work and training the team had put in.
“Every session has been about trusting each other and backing our skills, and it’s rewarding to see that pay off," he said.
"The standard of competition was really strong, and every team pushed us to be better, which makes this result even more meaningful."
Moranbah North Mine general manager Paul Stephan said the team’s win was another outstanding achievement.
"These competitions test the strength of our team under pressure, and this win is testament to their professionalism, preparation and commitment to safety,” he said.
“Everyone deserves to go home safely, and this success is a reflection of every miner who looks out for their mates and makes safety the top priority on every shift.”
Grosvenor Mine operations manager Scott Dobbie said he was incredibly proud of his team’s performance.
“It’s an honour for Grosvenor to stand alongside skilled teams from across Australia who share our goal of ensuring every miner goes home safely at the end of every shift,” he said.
“Mines rescue is one of the purest demonstrations of teamwork, discipline and courage in our industry.
"At Grosvenor, we have borne witness to that throughout our re-entry journey with crews from across the Bowen Basin stepping up to ensure safety always comes first.
“Congratulations to the Moranbah North and Grosvenor mines rescue teams for not only their performance in the national competition but for proving their mettle every time they are called upon.”
QMRS chief executive officer Tim Jackson said every competitor would take lasting value from the event.
"While only one team can finish in first place, every competitor will walk away with more than just results," he said.
"Each will return to their workplace and community as a stronger rescuer, a stronger teammate, and a stronger individual, enriched by the lessons, challenges, and camaraderie of this competition."
After topping the national competition in 2023, Grosvenor and Moranbah North represented Australia in the International Mines Rescue Competition in Colombia last year - an unforgettable experience that resulted in furthering their skills on the world stage.
This year's one-two finish again qualifies the two teams to compete in the IMRC in Zambia next year.
Representing NSW:
Southern Mines Rescue
Hunter Valley Mines Rescue
Western Mines Rescue Springvale
Newcastle Mines Rescue
Representing Queensland:
Moranbah North
Grosvenor
Kestrel
Carborough Downs