Zambia to Host 2026 International Mine Rescue Competition
Solwezi, Zambia – Kansanshi Mining PLC and Mopani Copper Mines will co-host the 2026 International Mine Rescue Competition (IMRC), a prestigious global safety event expected to gather mine rescue teams from over ten countries worldwide.
Among the countries are Australia, Colombia, the USA, China, Ivory Coast, among others. This will be the first time the international competition is held on the African continent, establishing Zambia as a global hub for mine safety and emergency preparedness.
The competition, anchored by the Zambia Chamber of Mines and its members, will take place from 25 April to 6 May 2026, with various scenarios held at Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi and the Mopani Central Training Centre (MCTC) in Mufulira on the Copperbelt.
The official opening ceremony will be held in Kitwe at Garden Court Hotel Kitwe, while the closing ceremony will take place in Livingstone at Avani Hotel.
The 2026 competition will feature 23 international teams, among them four Zambian teams, including:
- Konkola Copper Mines
- Mopani Copper Mines
- NFCA Mining (Non-Ferrous Company Africa) Chambishi
- Lubambe Copper Mine
Each team will consist of 10 to 12 members, bringing the total number of competitors to over 240 participants.
In addition, the event will attract international observers and 40 judges who will oversee the competition and assess performance based on global rescue and safety standards.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Zambia Chamber of Mines, Talent Ng’andwe, said preparations for the competition are well advanced, with the Chamber and the host mining companies committing more than US$2.5 million to ensure the successful delivery of the international event.
“We have enhanced our preparations for hosting the International Mine Rescue Competition. This is a very important competition for improving safety, mine rescue capabilities, and occupational health in the mining industry,” said Ng’andwe.
He added that the Chamber has undertaken benchmarking visits to other countries that have hosted the competition in order to ensure that Zambia delivers an event that meets international standards and best practices.
“The Chamber of Mines considers this event to be very cardinal to Zambia’s mining industry. Together with Kansanshi and Mopani, we have invested significantly to ensure the competition is a success,” he said, after checking on progress made by Kansanshi as one of the co-hosts of the event in Solwezi.
Ng’andwe further noted that while mine rescue operations historically focused on underground mines, the participation of large open-pit operations such as Kansanshi demonstrates the industry’s growing commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness across all types of mining operations.
Emergency Response Superintendent at Kansanshi Mining PLC, Christopher Hale, said extensive preparations have been undertaken over the past two years to ensure the mine is ready to host the international event.
“The standards we are setting here are aligned with international benchmarks under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
All the facility preparations are based on these standards to ensure that the training environment meets world-class expectations,” said Hale.
He explained that new infrastructure and training facilities have been constructed to enable teams to undertake complex simulated rescue scenarios designed to test technical expertise, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure.
“In terms of preparedness, we have undertaken enormous training over the last two years to ensure that we are ready to host this event and provide facilities that meet international standards,” he said.
First Quantum Minerals, Group Safety Manager Eric Cousins, emphasised that the competition plays a critical role in ensuring that rescue teams remain highly trained and ready to respond to emergencies.
“If complacency sets in, organisations can struggle to respond effectively during an emergency. Competitions such as this are important because they ensure teams continue training and sharpening their capabilities,” Cousins said.
“While there is no prize money awarded, teams receive trophies and international recognition for excellence in mine rescue and emergency response.”
The International Mine Rescue Competition provides an important platform for mining companies around the world to benchmark safety standards, share knowledge, and promote best practices in mine rescue, occupational health, and emergency management.
By hosting the event, Zambia’s mining industry is expected to strengthen its reputation as a global leader in mining safety and responsible mining practices.
The Zambia Chamber of Mines has also called on the media and industry stakeholders to support the event by highlighting the importance of mine rescue preparedness and safety excellence in the mining sector.
