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Perennial contender Tyrell Hall claims first King Miner title

Hall edged three-time reigning champion Josh Forest by less than 30 seconds overall to win the 49th edition of the mining skills competition.

A new King Miner was crowned at Nickel Days on June 26 after two years with no contests as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tyrell Hall claimed top spot for the first time, edging Josh Forest, who won the contest from 2017-2019.

Warren Luky, president of United Steelworkers Local 6166, which represents hourly workers at Vale’s Manitoba Operations and organizes the contest, said the difference between the two top finishers through the 11 events comprising the contest was a mere 22 seconds.

Hall won the rookie award in 2014 and has finished in the top four several times since. He was also a member of the foursome that won the team award, along with Scott Kennedy, three-time contest champion and oldest 2022 competitor Joe Burton, and Alex Martin.

Anthony Roberts was named tops among rookies, who comprised 11 of the 20 competitors this year.

Luky said at the contest’s opening ceremonies June 25 that, despite Vale being a much smaller operation now than it was in the past when the smelter and refinery were still operating, mining remains a viable and vital career path.

“It’s going to be a big part of the future,” he said, especially if nickel continues to be a key component in batteries for electric vehicles.

Vale’s general manager in Manitoba, Gary Annett, said the contest is a great way to show the public what miners can do.

“This showcases mining and you see the people out here working hard and making sure that we’re showcasing what we do and we’re proud of what we do,” he said. “We provide the metals to the world that make the world a better place.”

This years marked the 49th edition of the National King Miner contest in Thompson.

Hall is the 13th person to win the contest. Only four of the past championshave only won it a single time. Ed Chuckrey holds the record for the most wins, with 12, one ahead of Brian Woytkiw.

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