History of TMERC

The Tasmanian Minerals Emergency Response Committee (TMERC) plays an integral role in promoting mine safety across the state. Here’s a snapshot of the committee’s history:
1986

• The Tasmanian Mine Rescue Steering Committee (TMRSC) was formed as an initiative of Workplace Standards.
• It was initiated to integrate the resources of the underground mining operations by sharing information, implementing best practice and introducing a mutual aid program.
• The initial mines involved with the TMRSC were Mt Lyell, Rosebery, Renison, Hellyer and Cornwall.
• The steering committee was focused on standardising Tasmanian mine reduce training programs, implementing a mutual aid assistance agreement, and introducing the inter-mine annual mine rescue competition.

2010

• TMRSC was expanded, following a review of the committee’s objectives, to incorporate all mineral processing operations.
• TMRSC was renamed and is now known as the Tasmanian Minerals Emergency Response Committee.
• The newly formed TMERC committee will continue the excellent job performed by TMRSC and ensure that all mineral extraction activities, from mining to processing are represented in the committee’s program.
• The first year’s objective was to expand the annual competition from a one-day competition, with eight teams and six events, to a two-day competition permitting up to sixteen team with nine events, including emergency response teams from surface and underground operations.