WESTERN Coalfields Limited’s (WCL) Mines Rescue Team received a grand welcome and felicitation at WCL headquarters recently, for achieving a historic international milestone. WCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Dr Hemant Sharad Pandey honoured the team members and extended his heartfelt congratulations on their historic success. WCL’s Mines Rescue Team, representing Coal India Limited, participated in the ‘International Mines Rescue Competition ( IMRC) 2026’ held from April 25 to May 5, in Zambia. Making history, this is the first Indian Mines Rescue Team to achieve this historic feat. Total 22 teams from 11 countries participated in the competition. The team also secured the second position in the Underground Mine Category. R K Suman of WCL was awarded the ‘Best Technician Award’. This successful team was led by Sandeep Paranjpe, Director (Technical) Projects and Planning and Dinesh Bisen, GM (Rescue) was the senior member.