Over the past month, local news has been inundated with stories about the Diamonds in the Rough female mine rescue team … and rightfully so. However, I felt it would be interesting to look at it from the perspective of a homegrown competitor on this elite and remarkable team: Jodi Brasch.
Firstly, if there are a select few out there unaware of what the team accomplished; well, they made history! In order to explain that, I’ll provide a bit of a background perspective on the team.
Diamonds in the Rough is comprised of eight women who, outside of competition, are employed within the mineral industry and by companies such as Cameco, Rio Tinto, Agnico Eagle Mines and Hudbay.
Their industry captivating shot at history took place at the 11th International Mines Rescue Competition (IMRC) in Ekaterinburg, Russia from Sept. 22 – 29. There, they were the first women-only team to compete at an international level and the first ever females to work in the underground environment of Russia.
Mine rescue workers are mainstays within the safety culture of the Canadian mining industry. Their job, like that of any other rescue personnel, requires them to “run into dire situations as others run out.” Although they are seldom called upon to do so, they can be tasked with putting out underground fires and dealing with a myriad of emergencies within an industry that has a secluded work environment, large equipment, and explosives. “Hoping for the best and preparing for the worst” sees most teams train regularly and practise what they’ve learned during regular mine rescue competition.
Formal competitions are held locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. Teams compete for titles and trophies, but the skills they hone are for the safety of workers under the headframe back home.
The event in Russia hosted 24 teams and was won by Kemerovo MRS, a Russian team. Diamonds in the Rough finished 15th overall and were awarded fifth in the all-important mine rescue mission.
Jodi Brasch has been employed with Hudbay since 2013. Prior to her taking the cage down to her work level that first day, it had been 41 years since Hudbay had last hired a female to work underground in a Snow Lake mine. She became involved with mine rescue shortly thereafter and had participated in four local competitions and one provincial competition prior to suiting up in Russia.
As there has never been a female team in the same situation, ever … the Diamonds had no point of reference for their gender; nevertheless, they shone! “It definitely had challenges in it, that’s for sure,” said Ms. Brasch. “But I will say, we spent our time training on the right things, which helped us in the long run.” She noted that the IMRC ensured that all teams used their skills and problem-solving techniques and, like competitions back home, all missions were very well organized. Brasch said there were some differences, but they were subtle. “It is the first time I had ever had a chance to use a scoop stretcher,” said the competitor.
In respect to the language barrier, “Thank God for Google Translate!” Brasch exclaimed. “The Russians were impressed with how we were into communicating with them; many spent extra time visiting with us because we had a solution to the language barrier.”
Brasch says that the team and their coaches were all treated with the utmost respect. Practically everyone they met was impressed by the fact that they were at the competition. “Every judge, team, spectator had to have pictures with us,” said Brasch noting it wasn’t only a big deal to the team, but also everyone around them.
Asked what Russian females thought of the team’s work and attendance, Brasch was candid. “We did spend a couple of hours in the mining university with an engineering class,” she said. “Although it (the discussion) was not focused on mine rescue, we did have a chance to introduce ourselves and give a brief description of what we did for a living. I asked the class if there were any women that would get involved if they had the opportunity, and only one woman stood.” Brasch said many of the females she had the opportunity to chat with asked what she did for a living. “When I showed them a picture of my scooptram, I was met with the same reaction ... eyes wide open and a pat on the back. I am sure there would be many Russian women interested in getting involved, and I can only hope by our attendance that it has opened the doors for them.”
Anyone who has met Jodi Brasch knows that being raised in a mining town, within a generational family of mine workers, she holds a deep respect for the work she does and those who do it. She commands respect as well, and her dad, longtime resident Randy Cockle, is her biggest fan. Asked, upon her return, what his first words were: “Hey Jo, wudda ya know? (a famous line her grandpa said every time he saw her),” said Brasch. He gave her a big hug and with a cracked voice and welled-up tears, he told her how proud he was of her and that her grandpa, watching down, would have been as well. Brasch says mother Margie confirmed her dad’s pride, by noting that she is sick of sewing the buttons on his shirt!
Asked the most important thing she learned through the experience, Brasch said, “Just do it! Get it done! If you feel one per cent that you want to involve yourself in something, do it,” she said. “A lot of life’s rewards are in the unknown!” The rescue competitor says that she also learned what a team truly is. “I’ve been a member of many teams, for various things in my life, but this one conveyed the true meaning of the word team,” said Brasch. “That you can make a bond in 10 days that will last a lifetime, all I can do is thank Janie, Renae, Fanny, Jennifer, Naomi, Heather, Kari, Bruce, Travis, Randy, and of course Hudbay. It was a huge honour to share this experience with them and file our names in the world’s history book.”
Diamonds in the Rough received the People’s Choice award during the closing ceremonies, and also a special award for breaking the gender barrier and becoming the first ever women to compete as a team in international competition.
