Camborne School of Mines students prepare to dig deep and strike for gold at prestigious competition
Jackleg drilling. Photos courtesy of Media Memories-Photography
Students at the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) are making their final preparations before competing against a global field in a series of challenges and events that draw on traditional mining techniques of yesteryear.
Forty teams – including those from the world-renowned CSM – are set to pit their wits and skills against each other at the 47th Intercollegiate International Mining Games this weekend.
Teams from six countries, including the US, Canada, Germany and Australia, will compete in seven demanding events that revive and celebrate the true essence of the industrial heritage of mining. The events are:
- Jackleg Drilling (drilling into vertical concrete with an airleg drill)
- Track Laying (setting up and tearing down a section of track)
- Hand Mucking (running a one-tonne ore wagon along a 75-foot track and filling it)
- Swede Sawing (sewing through a six foot-by-six foot piece of timber with a bow saw)
- Panning (finding five flattened ball bearings in a pan full of dirt and rock)
- Hand Drilling (drilling into concrete using a hammer and chisel)
- Surveying (using a traditional vernier transit)
In total, four CSM student teams will compete at the games, alongside two more comprising CSM alumni. They hope to emulate the success of those in 2024 when the Women’s side finished second overall, and the Men, eighth.
This year’s event will be a special celebration for Cornwall as the Games are hosted by CSM and held at the King Edward Mine Museum in Camborne – the School’s former home from 1897-2004.
Patrick Foster, Head of the CSM, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting this year’s International Mining Games for the third time, having done so in 2012 and 2018. In doing so, we welcome a record number of teams from mining schools worldwide to Cornwall for this historic event.
“These students represent the future of the global mining industry at a time when the industry has never been so important in shaping the energy transition. Here they will be showcasing their practical mining skills in a spirit of friendly yet intense competition. I wish all the teams the best of luck and look forward to an event filled with excitement and skill.”
The International Mining Games first took place in 1978 to honour the 91 miners who died in the Sunshine Mine disaster of 1972 in Idaho, USA, and to remember miners that have since perished in the line of duty.
The competition aims to keep alive traditional mining techniques, many of which were originally developed in Cornwall. The competition has evolved and offers talent scouting opportunities for mining companies and companies in related sectors, and a chance to bring together mining students across international borders.
Women’s team captain Emma Parkin said: “We are incredibly proud of all our CSM students participating in the mining games this year, and the hard work they’ve put in preparing themselves and the grounds for competition.
“We are pleased to have been able to enter four teams to our home games and can’t wait to see their dedication pay off with some fantastic results this week. As a completely student-run team, the captains are very grateful to the students who have dedicated a huge portion of their spare time to training, preparation and organisation for the event alongside their studies. The students are very much looking forward to welcoming international students from around the world to Cornwall, and excited to share our CSM traditions whilst learning others.”
The event requires significant coordination and sponsorship, and this year’s President is CSM alumnus Joseph McCarthy, who has orchestrated the event with support from Emma as his Vice-President and global and local sponsors.
Joseph said: “The mining games is a unique opportunity for students studying any of the CSM courses, and we are very excited to welcome friends and colleagues from around the world to Camborne this year.
“The students have come together this year to organise the games with every logistic managed entirely by the students alongside their studies. The mining games are a jewel in the crown for CSM, and it has been a privilege to be in charge of the team. We can’t wait to share our passion and celebrate the hard work we have invested into this event together.”
The four student CSM teams are benefiting from sponsorship, with Padley and Venables supporting the Camborne Men’s A and Women’s teams, while Barminco-Perenti and Vault each sponsor a Camborne Co-Ed team. CSM alumni also feature two teams, CSM Cousin Jacks and Anchored by Britannia. Other sponsors of the Games include Cornish Metals, Herrenknecht, Global Mine Design, Deswik, CSM Trust, Aggregate Industries, Springbok Drilling and Raptor Tech.
The Camborne School of Mines is part of the University of Exeter, based at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall. To learn more about the Camborne School of Mines and its world-class programmes, visit the website.
