Released Wednesday, April 30, 2003

Mine Rescue Teams Stage Mock Mine Emergency
U.S. Mine Safety Director to Oversee Rescue Competition, Tour Morton Salt Mine

NEW IBERIA, La. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will host the Southern Regional Mine Rescue Contest, Friday, May 2, 2003 at SugArena, Acadiana Fairgrounds, 713 Northwest Bypass (Hwy 3212). The day-long event begins at 7 a.m. Eleven teams, including six from Louisiana salt mines, will compete.

Mine rescue competitions are simulated mine emergency drills designed to test the knowledge of highly trained teams of miners who may be called upon to respond to a real mine emergency.

Dave D. Lauriski, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, will preside over the contest. Lauriski also will visit the Morton Salt Company's Weeks Island Mine on Saturday, May 3, 2003, at 9 a.m. The tour of the surface and underground facilities will last approximately 1.5 hours.

For further information, or to participate in the mine tour, please contact Amy Louviere, MSHA's Office of Information and Public Affairs, at (202) 693-9423.

Event:	Southern Regional Mine Rescue Contest
Date:	Friday, May 2, 2003
Location:	SugArena/Acadiana Fairgrounds 713 Northwest Bypass (Hwy 3212)
Time:	7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Event:	Morton Salt Co. Mine Tour
Date:	Saturday, May 3, 2003
Location:	11217 Morton Rd. New Iberia, La.
Time:	9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.