In its annual report QMRS said incidents at Newlands, Kestrel and Crinum called on the expertise of the rescue team who provided assistance to deal with sealings stopping at Newlands NCP project and gas detected behind seals at Kestrel.
At Crinum, QMRS personnel were involved for more than a month in support against water inundation.
The highlight of the year was the deployment of the GAG Inertisation Unit to Loveridge No. 22 mine in West Virginia during March 2003. Thirteen personnel travelled with the unit and completely inertised the Consol mine after six days of continuous operation.
The Service’s time during the year was predominantly taken up by exercise activities, followed by investigations, sealings, inert/fires and rescue and recovery.
On the research side, an on-going scoping study for a mines rescue vehicle was deemed successful to the point where ACARP have extended the project funding for evaluation and testing of diesel engines in the vehicle.
The annual report showed net profit for the year was $169,069. The board decided to keep the levy for open cut mines at 30% and 70% for underground mines.
Membership and training increased during the years with 41 new members trained at new stations at Dysart and Blackwater. Training was also conducted with six new members for the GAG unit.
