Thoughts While Filming/Producing Barrick's 2011 Global Mine Rescue Summit

Two weeks ago, we started filming with Barrick Gold for their 2011 Global Mine Rescue Summit.  We had myself, Nate and Tim on the filming crew and Alisia running photography.  Everything went very smoothly, except for when Alisia missed the bus back to Salt Lake City and we had to buy her a flight last minute. We still love her. ;-)  We shot with two Panasonic AG-AF100's (Tim and I) and Nate ran three GoPro's along with all media management.

The mining industry gets a lot of grief and a bad name from accidents that occur and I've gotta take the mining industry's side on this.  I don't know of an industry that takes safety more seriously.  Barrick Gold is, in my mind, the poster child for safety first.  I don't know how many zeros come after the number they spend on safety but I'll bet they spend more and care more than a lot of other industries.

For example, Barrick invited 60 of its volunteer first responders from their mines throughout the world to the United States for a week of training and instruction.  Two days were spent at the University of Nevada, Reno's Fire Science Academy where they attend an extensive aircraft rescue course and the rest of the time on burn props to help simulate situations and let them hone their skills.  Barrick also split up the group into three for three community service projects in Elko, Nevada.

Another day was spent at the University of Utah's Medical Center getting hands on training and lectures from some of the best doctors, nurses and medical experts in the world.  At one point, they interacted with 3G dummies that talk and give feedback.  I got to be the speaker for a few of the Spanish crews that practiced.  That was pretty fun, but I think I should stick to filmmaking.

My point here is that these are great people that make up great companies and they care a lot about their safety and the safety of others.  They won't put the car in gear before you have your seatbelt on.  They are serious about safety.

My great, great grandfather, James Gatherum, and two of his brothers Thomas, and William Gatherum died in the Scofield Mine, so mining accidents impacted my family a century ago.  It's nice to know there are companies like Barrick that put safety at the front of the to do list.  And they DO a very good job at it.

Stay tuned for a short sizzle of the Summit.

Casket of James Gatherum being loaded onto the Rio Grande Western Baggage car.

James Gatherum with family on a picnic

Scofield Mine Disaster Links
The George Edward Anderson Collection
James Gatherum Casket Image
James Gatherum baby portrait
History of the Scofield Mine Disaster
Names of Miners
Utah History To Go
University of Utah