Called the “advocate for improved mine rescue training”, the Pennsylvania-based USMRA is up to nearly 1500 members this year, an 80% increase over the same period in 2005, spokesman Rob McGee told International Longwall News recently.

The group boasts members from all corners of the globe, in 53 countries so far.

Additionally, a mine rescue newsgroup McGee founded through online search engine Yahoo! has a membership of more than 600, the largest in its sector at the search engine site.

According to a recent tally he completed, user sessions in 2006 through July 31 have averaged more than 158,000 bi-monthly and more than 361,000 page views during the same measured periods.

In addition to the discussion newsgroup, the organisation has several resources on its website (www.usmra.com) including rescue resources, links to industry-related organisations and photo galleries of mine rescue competitions and teams. Potential members can also apply through the site.

McGee, himself a long-time member of the mining industry, said the group’s efforts will remain strong into next year and the future.

“Our group … will continue to focus on mine rescue and emergency preparedness,” he said.