South Africa (October 6 -8, 2003)

The first open IMRB conference was held at the Misty Hills Resort on the outskirts of Johannesburg where 19 mine rescue papers were presented to approximately 120 participants representing 14 nations.  An optional field trip to Cape Town was available and it provided participants with an opportunity to get fully immersed to South African culture while networking with mine rescue colleagues  from around the world.  This conference established the framework and principles which would continue for all future mines rescue conferences and included the following components:

• Technical information exchange

• Field visits to mines and mine rescue stations

• Mines Rescue Networking

• Supplier/manufacturer trade show

• Cultural Emersion Activities