Eighteen teams are expected to compete in the competition that begins at 7am local time on June 1 at Southwest Virginia Community College campus near Cedar Bluff.

Contest crews include Cumberland Resources, Cumberland River Coal, Dickenson-Russell Coal, Jewell Smokeless Coal, Consol Energy, Knox Creek Coal, Lone Mountain Processing, Maxxim Shared Services, TECO Coal, Wellmore Coal and Virginia Small Operator Mine Rescue.

All the teams will be put to the test in mock disaster scenarios while wearing full rescue gear and will be judged on time and thoroughness.

The contest is open to the public and Virginia Mining Association executive director John Belcher said a number of exhibitors would be available with mining-related products and services on display.

The rescue and safety contest is being sponsored by the VMA, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Staff from MSHA and the DMME will serve as judges.