May 20, 2019 - The 13th annual Mine Safety Rescue Competition took place in West Virginia at Bluefield State College Saturday.

The event is a competition against the mine, said Mike Plumley, Director of the event.

Miners from several different mining companies throughout the area volunteer to be a part of rescue teams. The challenges presented at the Mine Safety Rescue Competition give the miners an opportunity to test their skills, as well as meet miners from other companies.

Plumley said, “One of the things that comes out of these type of practice problems and contests, it allows these teams to have camaraderie with other teams so that if they have to respond to an actual mine emergency, they’ll recognize that team beside them.”