B2Gold’s Back River Emergency Response Team Claims Top Honours at Northern Mine Rescue Competition

In just three years, mine rescue capabilities at B2Gold’s Back River Gold District in Nunavut, where the Goose Mine is located, have gone from virtually non-existent to best-in-class. The Back River Emergency Response Team (ERT) is celebrating a remarkable achievement: being named Overall Grand Champion – Underground Division at the 2026 Northwest Territories and Nunavut Mine Rescue Competition. Held in Yellowknife from May 28 to 30 as part of the 66th Annual Northern Mine Rescue Competition and NWT Mining Week, the event brought together some of northern Canada’s most skilled emergency response teams to test their knowledge, teamwork, and life-saving capabilities in a series of demanding practical and written challenges. Competing against experienced teams from Agnico Eagle, Baffinland, Burgundy Diamond Mines, and De Beers, the Back River team delivered an exceptional performance in its first-ever appearance at the competition, earning top honours in: Overall Underground Champion Underground First Aid Underground Fire Suppression Written Competency Examination Practical Bench Bench Technician Champion The achievement reflects B2Gold’s focus on training and continuous improvement. It also highlights the growth of Back River’s emergency response program and the success of initiatives such as the Inuit Mine Emergency Response Team (MERT) Prep School, which is helping build emergency response capacity and skills development at the Goose Mine. "When we acquired the project three years ago, mine rescue was virtually nonexistent at the site. This makes our team's performance a massive accomplishment, especially given the seasoned competition," said Darren Parry. The competition challenged participants to demonstrate technical expertise, emergency response readiness, and the ability to perform under pressure—skills that are essential to maintaining a safe workplace. The Back River team rose to the occasion, showcasing the professionalism, commitment, and teamwork that underpin the operation's safety culture. "The team should be incredibly proud of what they accomplished," said Dan Gagnon, General Manager, Back River. "They represented Back River exceptionally well and demonstrated the skill, teamwork, and professionalism that define our operation." Meet the Team Coaches: Glenn McGuire, Brad Hogg Team Leadership: Ryan Russell (Captain), Jean-Francois Mercier (Vice Captain) Team Members: Kris Fife, Max Crawford, Brian Linley, William Exton, Alex Olarte This milestone would not have been possible without the many people who supported the team's training and preparation. Their success not only brings home a championship title—it strengthens emergency response capabilities at Back River and demonstrates what can be achieved through dedication, teamwork, and a shared commitment to safety. Congratulations to the entire team on this outstanding accomplishment.