Send-Off for Tim Indonesia Garuda Mine Rescue to Compete at MERC 2023 Australia

The Inspector General of KESDM / Acting Director General of Mineral & Coal Bambang Suswantono, the Director of Mineral & Coal Engineering & Environment / Head of Mine Instructors Sunindyo Suryo Herdadi, PPA Vice President Director Ardi Tjoa, PPA HCGA Director Teguh Sapto Subroto, and PPA Finance Director Sujoko Martin sent off Indonesia Garuda Mine Rescue, which will compete at the 13th Mining Emergency Response Competition in Australia on 24–26 November 2023.

The team departs Indonesia on 18 November 2023 and continues training on 20–22 November 2023 in Australia. The event opens officially on 23 November 2023 and the competition runs 24–26 November 2023 at Langley Park, Perth, Western Australia. The team will compete against 18 teams from mining companies around the world, including two of the world's largest, Rio Tinto and BHP.

At the send-off Bambang Suswanto spoke about the team's identity as Indonesia's representatives and the importance of cohesion when facing strong opponents.

"Kalian adalah duta bangsa, perwakilan tim-tim Rescue di Indonesia. Saya melihat kekompakan, persiapan secara teknis dan skill sudah cukup bagus dan luar biasa. Di setiap kesempatan melawan tim yang tangguh-tangguh, kita jangan meremehkan siapa lawan kita, tapi bagaimana kita menyiapkan diri untuk memberikan yang terbaik. Modalnya itu kekompakan, persatuan dan kesatuan," said Bambang Suswanto in his remarks.

Bambang then encouraged the members to keep up their spirit, keep learning, and give their best effort across the 7 scenarios being contested: Confined Space Rescue, ERT Readiness, Fire Fighting, First Aid, Hazmat, Road Crash Rescue and Vertical Rescue.

"Semangat, semangat, semangat. Tidak ada kalimat mengeluh, yang ada bagaimana tujuan tercapai dengan segala daya upaya… Segala sesuatu yang kita pelajari tidak akan sia-sia, tidak ada ilmu yang sia-sia. Jadi terus gali kemampuan yang Anda miliki untuk bekal di kemudian hari." said Bambang, offering encouragement.

"Saya ucapkan selamat bertanding. Tetap jaga perilaku, perbuatan dan nama baik Indonesia. Semoga bisa menjadi juara," said Bambang.

Echoing Bambang, PPA HCGA Director Teguh Sapto Subroto also urged the team to give its best.

"Jangan lupa berdoa, terus lakukan yang terbaik, jadi apapun hasilnya, kita tahu itu yang terbaik," said Teguh, closing the event.

Garuda Mine Rescue! Fighting Spirit! Rock & Roll!