Distinguished at MERC 2023, the Indonesian Consulate General in Perth Praises Tim Indonesia Garuda Mine Rescue

Tim Indonesia Garuda Mine Rescue was invited to a meeting with the Indonesian Consul General in Perth, Listiana Operananta, at the Consulate General hall (27/11). At the meeting, Listiana expressed her appreciation for the team's achievement at The 13th Mining Emergency Response Competition (MERC) 2023, held on 24–26 November 2023: the 1st place trophy in Vertical Rescue, 2nd place in Hazmat Rescue, 3rd place in Fire Fighting & Breathing Apparatus Skill, and the Team Spirit Award trophy.

Listiana conveyed her pride in the team for bringing honour to the nation with its performance at MERC, an event running for 13 years and joined by ERT teams from the world's largest mining companies such as Rio Tinto, BHP, Newmont and Regis Resources.

"Selamat datang di MERC dan selamat atas pencapaian yang luar biasa, ini menunjukkan bahwa kita diam-diam memiliki keahlian, kehebatan yang tidak banyak yang tahu. Jadi ini sesuatu yang sangat membanggakan. Saya mengucapkan selamat."

The Consul General then spoke about the difference between the kind of rescue handled by the Foreign Ministry and the complex field rescues the team carries out.

"Perlindungan (yang kami berikan) pada warga indonesia di luar negeri itu biasanya kalau ada evakuasi, bekerjasama dengan menlu, angkatan udara dan instansi-instansi lain di pemerintahan RI mengumpulkan simpul-simpul masyarakat. Tapi itu hanya menggunakan kemampuan koordinasi saja. Tentunya tidak ada skill yang se-complicated penyelamatan yang dilakukan bapak-bapak semuanya. Ini sesuatu yang sebenarnya, kelihatannya perlu dikedepankan lagi," said Listiana.

At MERC 2023, held on 24–26 November 2023, Tim Indonesia Garuda Mine Rescue competed against 14 other ERTs across 7 emergency rescue scenarios. For its performance, the team drew praise from a range of quarters including Bill Johnston, Minister for Mines & Petroleum; Energy; Hydrogen Industry; Industrial Relations of Western Australia, the MERC 2023 Local Committee, and members of the other competing teams.

Sue Steele, one of MERC's Founding Members, also offered her appreciation to the team.

"Indonesia Garuda Mine Rescue Team memperlihatkan inti dari sikap penyelamatan di tambang. Mereka semua terlatih dengan baik, profesional, dan benar-benar orang-orang yang baik! Kami akan selalu menyambut kehadiran Indonesia Garuda Mine Rescue Team kembali di ajang MERC," praised Steele.

MERC is a non-profit Australian competition providing world-class emergency rescue training and skills development for mine ERTs.