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Macassa Mine Rescue Team, 1957

Black and white photograph of six men in overalls with their equipment in front of them. They are standing in front of their van. A mine headframe is in the background.

Title: Macassa Mine Rescue Team, 1957

Photographer: Duke Studios

Museum of Northern History Collection

Mining is hazardous work, and to prevent fatalities underground, each mine had its own rescue team. These men wore breathing apparatus and were trained to remove injured miners from underground in conditions that might lack oxygen or have toxic gases.

Mine safety has improved over the decades with technology, but with the risk of rockbursts and other dangers prior to the 1970s, there was good reason why some miners didn’t want their children to follow in their footsteps when it came to their career choice.

The members of the Macassa Mine Rescue Team were also winners of the Kirkland District Competition and 2nd Ontario Final Competition where they showcased their skills.

Left to right: B. McIntosh (Captain), B. Young, E. Haskins, D. McNulty, A. Whittle, G. St. Pierre (Vice-Captain)