Laurentian University is proud to celebrate the success of the Laurentian University Mine Rescue Club (LUMR), which secured first place overall at the 2026 Intercollegiate Mine Emergency Response Competition. Held February 17 to 20 the event brought together approximately 80 participants from nine post-secondary mine rescue teams from across Canada and the United States.
Hosted in Sudbury for the first time by Laurentian University, the home team outperformed eight other universities, including the Colorado School of Mines and West Virginia University. In addition to the overall championship, the Laurentian University team achieved significant success in individual categories, placing second in First Aid and second in the Underground Challenge.
Félix Gervais, Mechanical Engineering student and President of the Laurentian University Mine Rescue Club, team captain and lead the organization of the event. A Sudburian and graduate of École secondaire catholique l'Horizon, Gervais noted that the victory was a result of the rigorous standards set by Ontario Mine Rescue and the strong bond within the student team.
"It takes a good form of respect between you and your teammates so that you can come to the best solution and hear each other out," said Gervais. "Representing Sudbury as the mining town and a mining university definitely set us up in the right steps."
Gervais highlighted that hosting the competition involved a massive collaborative effort, requiring the coordination of 125 people in total, counting participates, volunteers and judges. He emphasized the importance of delegation and collective trust in executing such a large-scale international event.
Beyond the competition, the Laurentian University Mine Rescue Club serves as a critical bridge to the industry. Supported by partners such as Ontario Mine Rescue, Hexagon, Vale, Orla Mining, Dräger and T'NT Rope Rescue the program ensures that students graduate with advanced safety training and professional connections. Gervais noted that the skills gained, such as hazard identification and time-critical decision-making, are essential for the next generation of mining engineers.
"My time in the club has highlighted the importance of safety and what it means to me in the industry," added Gervais. "These are skills that I will be able to take with me to any job site."
