Rize to host 4th Mine Rescue Competition in 2026

The 4th Mine Rescue Competition, organized by the Turkish Miners Association (TMD), is scheduled to take place in Rize from September 22 to 25, 2026. Hosted by Çayeli Copper Operations Co. (Çayeli Bakır İşletmeleri A. Ş.) and supported by the Rize Municipality, the event aims to strengthen occupational safety culture and enhance emergency response capacities within the mining sector.

Thirteen search and rescue teams from leading Turkish mining companies will compete across six categories: underground, fire, earthquake, chemical response, vehicle accidents, and team competency. While the underground and earthquake modules will be conducted at the Çayeli Copper mine site, other modules will be held in public areas within Rize city center.

TMD Chairman Mehmet Yılmaz noted that the competition has grown from five teams in 2019 to 13 professional teams today, including international observers. The event will conclude with an award ceremony during a gala on the evening of September 25.