The Camborne School of Mines (the other CSM) announced the 34th Intercollegiate International Mining Games competition will be held in Cornwall, UK, in the Olympic year of 2012. The International Mining Games competition was started in 1978 in honor of the 91 miners that died in the Sunshine mine disaster in 1972, as well as miners who have lost their lives since 1972 in the line of duty. Camborne joined the competition in 2006, and it was agreed CSM should host the event in 2012, as it corresponds with the Olympic year in UK.
The primary aim of the competition is to keep the traditional mining techniques alive, many of which were developed in Cornwall. The competition has now evolved and also provides a talent scouting opportunity for many large mining companies as well as enhancing the comradeship of mining students over international borders. The games consist of seven events including: jackleg drilling, hand steeling, Swede saw, hand mucking, surveying, track laying and gold panning. The games are extremely competitive with teams entered from mining schools in Australia, the United States, Canada as well as the UK team. There are separate men’s, women’s and mixed competitions. An alumni competition also runs alongside the event. Each team consists of six members; one person from each team is required to sit out of each event. Last year’s competition was held in Reno, Nevada, where Camborne School of Mines entered a men’s team that placed 17th overall.
The 2012 event is to be held at the King Edward mine, Troon, from March 29-April 1. Holman’s test mine, also in Troon, is likely to be used as a training location and for one of the smaller events. The event is being organized by current CSM students.
The organizing committee is currently looking for sponsorship and equipment to run the event. If you or your company feel that you are able to help, please contact us at CSMMGsecretary@hotmail.co.uk or Mining Games Organizing Committee c/o Jo Shepherd, Camborne School of Mines, Tremough Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom.
