Nine teams from Victorian and New South Wales mines competed in the Mineral Council Australia Victorian division which included a range of events including team skills, firefighting, first aid, rope rescue and search and rescue at Energy Australia's Yallourn Mine in October.

The Stawell 'Blue Healers' competed at the event which featured a variety of simulated emergency situations where skills were put to the test and shared their extensive knowledge with each other.

Mineral Council executive director James Sorahan said safety was the number one priority for the minerals industry.

"This competition put the best to the test to make mining safer," he said.

"The simulated emergencies faced by the teams help prepare them for real-life situations.

"Competitors leave with sharpened skills and new knowledge.

"While they were up against each other, the teams were sharing their secrets and experience. The camaraderie was great."

Mr Sorahan said sharing of knowledge and skills enables mine rescue personnel to be called upon not only in their own operations but operations throughout the state and across the country.

"Having a significant pool of highly trained rescue personnel across Australia contributes greatly to the minerals industry's commitment to zero harm," he said.

"The mateship on display this weekend was amazing. The commitment of mine rescue workers to their colleagues in time of significant duress was awe-inspiring. The minerals industry is in very safe hands."

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