THE INTERNATIONAL MINES RESCUE COMPETITION (IMRC) 2026 IS ON
The International Mine Rescue Competition (IMRC) 2026 was officially opened last evening at Kitwe’s Garden Court Hotel by Mines and Minerals Development Minister Hon. Paul Kabuswe.
The competition which runs from April 26th to May 5th, 2026, marks a historic milestone as the competition is hosted in Africa for the first time.
Organised by the Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM), the competition will take place in Mufulira at Mopani Central Training Centre (MCTC) and the Mufulira West Portal, and at Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi, bringing together 22 elite mine rescue teams from around the world.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, Mopani Copper Mines PLC Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Sakanya, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to mine safety, technical excellence, and skills development across the mining industry.
Eng. Sakanya said Mopani had invested heavily in recent months to ensure that competitors, officials, and observers experience a competition environment that is technically advanced, safe, and internationally benchmarked.
Among the key upgrades highlighted by Eng. Sakanya is the installation of a cutting-edge communications control room, serving as the operational nerve centre for coordinating teams, judges, safety officers, and emergency protocols in real time, along with a dedicated waiting-and-briefing facility for official teams to ensure a secure, professional, and comfortable environment as mine rescue competitors prepare for their tasks.
He explained that at the Mufulira West Underground Portal, the competition has been equipped with high-capacity Wi-Fi connectivity, advanced monitoring systems, and modern communications infrastructure.
Sakanya further noted that the competition environment has been fitted with internationally recognised mine rescue equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus, thermal imaging and search-and-rescue cameras, and closed-circuit communication systems. He also referenced rescue stretchers, fire-fighting units, and multiple simulated emergency installations designed to mirror real underground incident response.
“These measures are intended to ensure seamless coordination, real-time data transmission, and enhanced safety oversight throughout the competition simulations. This competition represents something even greater. It is about the people, about safety, about skills transfer, knowledge-sharing, and global collaboration,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that the competition’s legacy would extend well beyond its conclusion, stating that the impact of the event would be felt far after the final day on 5th May 2026.
As Zambia hosts this global event, it reinforces a simple but powerful message: Mining success is not just about production; it is about protecting lives. Zambia is being represented by four teams from Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), Chambishi NFCA, Lubambe Copper Mine and Mopani.