The 14th International Mine Rescue Competition (IMRC) 2026 held in Zambia came to a close with a powerful blend of global competition and a shared commitment to saving lives across the mining sector.
First Quantum’s Kansanshi Mining Plc General Manager Meiring Burger, whose message defined the spirit of the competition:
“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.”
Bringing together teams from across continents, the IMRC 2026 Zambia tested real-world emergency response skills under internationally judged, standardised conditions, firmly placing Zambia on the global map for mine rescue excellence.
Minerals Regulation Coordinator Yotum Chulu noted that the country had set a high bar, with lessons from the event expected to influence global standards and regulatory reforms.
Significant investment in infrastructure by host mines Kansanshi Mining Plc and Mopani copper Mine highlighted a long-term vision: building systems that extend beyond the competition and embed safety as a daily operational culture. Speakers at the finale emphasised the stakes reach far beyond trophies, highlighting the thin line between tragedy and hope in mining environments.
Results as they unfolded:
In Rope Rescue, Australia claimed first place, followed by Zambia’s Mufulira Mopani Copper Mines team B in second, and Team Appin Pitbulls Australia in third.
The Skills and Obstacles category saw Shandong Energy China take the top spot, with Auatrialia’s Grosvenor Team in second and Glencore Kid Operations Canada in third.
For First Aid, Moranbah North Australia secured first place, Diamond Rough Canada came second, and Konkola Copper Mines Zambia finished third.
In the Technician category, Coal India led the field, Zambia’s Mopani Copper Mines team placed second, and China took third position.
The Underground Rescue discipline was won by Singareni Coal Mine India, followed by Coal India in second and Glencore Kid Operations Canada in third.
In Fire Rescue, Moramban North Australia emerged victorious, with Garuda Mining Indonesia in second place and Shandong Energy China in third.
The competition’s overall standings crowned India’s Coal India as the global champion, Zambia’s Mopani Copper Mines team as runners-up, and Glencore Kidd Operations Canada in third place.
In addition, Zambia Chamber of Mines presented recognition awards to FQM’s Africa Group Safety Manager Eric Cousins and Kansanshi Mine Emergency Services Superintendent Chris Hale among other Zambia Mine Rescue members.
While the rankings reflected excellence, the true achievement of the IMRC 2026 Zambia lay in global collaboration teams working side by side, exchanging knowledge and techniques that will strengthen mine safety worldwide.
As the curtain fell in Livingstone, one message remained clear: the real victory will be measured not in medals, but in the lives saved.
#IMRC2026 #Zambia #FirstQuantum #Kansanshi
