Star of Courage
Awarded on: 1982-04-13
Invested on: 1982-06-29
On 20 May 1980, Benoît Chabot rescued three co-workers stranded by a mud slide at Level 350 of Belmoral Mine. While escaping the fast-moving two-metre slide, a companion suggested to Mr. Chabot that they should go back to shut off the motors of the scoop trams. They then realized that there were men in the lunch-room. At great risk to his life, and without thought of the imminent danger, Mr. Chabot skilfully manoeuvred a scoop tram and drove through the mud across the ramp leading to the lunch-room. The three miners jumped on the back of the tram which quickly crossed the ramp through the sliding mud. Moments later they all climbed up the emergency exit to safety. Mine inspectors were unable to enter the site of the cave-in until two weeks later.