21/05/2026
ARG was proud to once again be part of the Fire Event at SMERC 2026 - and even prouder to see it take out Best Scenario for another year running 🏆
A huge shout out to John Farr, FMR, and the entire Fire Event team for putting together another exceptional scenario this year. The hours of planning, writing, building, and adjudication that go into this event each year are enormous, and the attention to detail and realism delivered every time is what makes the Fire Event such a standout part of the competition.
The mid-scenario twist this year really put teams to the test. Watching crews adapt on the fly, reassess, and push through under genuine pressure is exactly what mine emergency response is all about!
Congratulations to every team who took on the scenario this year 💪🏼🔥
📸 What the Chuck and Ten Sharks Photography
14/05/2026
Twenty (and a bit) years ago, Andrew "Stoof" Stay walked into KCGM as an underground miner. At SMERC 2026, he was recognised with a 20 Years of Service to Mine Emergency Response award, and there are very few people in this industry who are more deserving.
Stoof's journey through mine emergency response is one of genuine passion and commitment. From his first BG4 course at KCGM in 2003, to becoming Mine Rescue Captain and captaining the Newmont Australia team at the Indonesian Fire Rescue Challenge in 2009, to conducting live fire training at Olympic Dam, and going on to train teams across Australia, PNG, Africa, and beyond - every chapter of his career has been defined by a drive to build capability and develop the people around him.
He joined ARG in 2024 and has been an incredible addition to the team ever since, bringing two decades of hands-on experience, a genuine care for the people he works with, and an energy that is hard to put into words (but is famously known as the 'Stoof Affect')!
What makes Stoof's contribution truly special isn't the roles he's held or the places he's been. It's the mark he's left on the people he's trained, the teams he's led, and the industry he clearly loves.
We are incredibly proud to call him one of our own. Congratulations Stoofa, here's to the next chapter 💪🏼🔥❤️
(awards night photos by EKC Photography)
06/05/2026
What a weekend at SMERC 2026! 💪🏼🔥
A huge thank you to The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - CMEWA and Karlee Terenciuk & Red Edge Events for delivering another exceptional SMERC weekend. The planning and attention to detail that goes into this event every year is truly amazing.
Thank you to all event teams, adjudicators, and volunteers whose hard work and commitment make this competition possible. Your dedication is what keeps SMERC running at such a high standard.
Congratulations to the SMERC 2026 winners:
🥇 Northern Star Resources - KCGM
🥈 Northern Star Resources - Thunderbox
🥉 Gold Fields Australia - Combined
A massive well done to every team who competed this year! The skill, professionalism, and grit shown across the weekend was a credit to the entire WA mining community.
A special mention to our ARG team who ran our expo stand on Friday - Tamara, Alana, and Candice - and to our trainers Matt, Jhana, Stoof, and Brett for the countless hours poured into preparing teams for this event. Big thanks also to Andrew Bowler and Alana Boulton for making the trip to be part of the weekend.
We're proud to be part of this community and already looking forward to UMERC 2026! 🔥
29/04/2026
It's official! ARG is now the exclusive Australian dealer for AMKUS Rescue Systems 💪🏼🔥
50+ years of trusted rescue capability, now backed by the local support, training, and service Aussie teams deserve.
See the tools first at SMERC Expo - Friday 1 May.
