Go behind the scenes with Gold Fields’ Emergency Response team and watch a live training drill at stop 6 on the Kalgoorlie #heartofgold Discovery Trail. Find the Saint Barbara statue to uncover the critical role that all emergency response teams play in modern mining operations and their local communities.
In the days of the early gold rushes of the 1800s, mine sites were a dangerous place. Dry conditions, limited water supply, the spread of disease and the development of underground mining meant perilous working conditions for those who travelled from far and wide, hoping to strike it lucky. At stop 6 on Kalgoorlie's #heartofgold Discovery Trail, trailblazers will unearth the evolution of safe mining practices and discover why health and safety is a top priority.
Today, gold miners are committed to creating and maintaining a ‘safety-first’ culture. Often the first responders to any incident on their St Ives mine site, the Gold Fields’ Emergency Response team are trained to provide a variety of aid, including firefighting, vehicle extraction, hazardous chemical response, first aid, ropes rescue, underground search and rescue, and more.
The video featured on the trail above features Gold Fields Superintendent: EMS & Security, Marty Keates, who describes the pivotal role performed by the Emergency Response team. The aid they provide can benefit not just the mine workers but the wider community, with Geologist Jay Stafford explaining the importance of being able to access medical aid when working on remote sites hundreds of kilometres away from any infrastructure.
Trailblazers may even time their visit with the City’s St Barbara Festival, held annually to recognise the men and women lost servicing the mining industry and to honour its contributions to the region. St Barbara is the patron saint of miners, representing the importance of health and safety at mine sites, and her festival is celebrated in December each year.