Indonesian and Australian Mining Emergency Response Teams to Test Skills at IMERC 2026
A total of 24 emergency response teams (ERTs) from Indonesian and Australian mining companies will test their capabilities in handling various emergency scenarios at the Indonesia Mining Emergency Response Community (IMERC) 2026 event in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on 6–9 August 2026.
IMERC serves as a platform for collaboration across various levels of society, raising awareness, and transferring experience among ERTs globally, said IMERC 2026 Committee Chairman Koko Prayitno in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
“We believe that safety cannot be built alone, but rather through a shared commitment to continue learning, training, and improving competency standards. It is hoped that IMERC can serve as a catalyst for the emergence of Indonesian ERTs that are increasingly prepared to face various challenges and able to compete at the international level,” Koko added.
IMERC 2026 is being held at the Garuda Rescue Nusantara (GRN) training and simulation facility, with PT Putra Perkasa Abadi (PPA) serving as this year’s host. This is the second edition of the event after it was first held in 2025.
The 24 participating teams come from PT Borneo Indobara, PT Kaltim Prima Coal, PT Mustika Indah Permai, PT Bukit Asam Tbk, PT Mandiri Herindo Adiperkasa, PT Petrosea Tbk, PT Indexim Coalindo, PT Sapta Indah Sejati, and PT Kideco Jaya Agung.
Also participating are ERTs from PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, PT Hengjaya Mineralindo, PT Multi Harapan Utama, PT Labuha Internusa, PT Cipta Kridatama, and PT Arutmin Indonesia.
In addition, teams have joined from PT Maruwai Coal, PT Satria Bahana Sarana, PT SIMS Jaya Kaltim, PT Pamapersada Nusantara, PT Mifa Bersaudara, PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, PT Berau Coal, as well as Northern Star Resources from Australia.
According to Koko, enthusiasm among mining companies for this event is quite high. The number of companies interested in participating in IMERC 2026 even exceeded the available participant capacity.
He said the mining industry has high-risk characteristics, so preparedness for emergencies is an important part of the safety system.
Beyond accident prevention efforts, the ability of rescue teams to respond to emergency conditions also needs to be continuously trained and tested.
At IMERC 2026, these capabilities are tested through eight challenges: Theory Test, Road Crash Rescue, Underwater Rescue & Recovery, Vertical Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Firefighter Combat Challenge, Individual Skill, and Structural Fire Fighting.
The scenarios are designed to closely resemble conditions that could potentially occur in mining areas as well as supporting facilities such as workshops, warehouses, and other work areas.
This year IMERC carries the theme “Face Up”, which emphasises the courage to face challenges, readiness, collaboration, and improved competency in dealing with increasingly complex emergency conditions.
One international team, Northern Star Resources from Australia, is also participating.
This team is the overall champion of MERC 2024 in Australia, and its presence is part of the strategic collaboration between Indonesia and Australia in the field of mine rescue.
This collaboration is expected to strengthen rescue operation standards in Indonesia to be on par with international standards and to encourage the exchange of knowledge and the latest innovations in emergency handling.
“IMERC builds a culture of learning and sharing experiences. When participants return to their respective companies with new knowledge and skills, the impact will be felt far beyond the competition arena,” said Sue Steele, Founder of MERC Australia.
In addition to the competition, IMERC 2026 carries three main pillars: Challenge, Training, and Charity. The series of activities also involves the community, volunteers, universities, and MSME players.