Students lead gold rush at International Mining Games

Three teams from the mining school, based at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus, secured four gold medals between them – including divisional gold – at the recent annual International Mining Games.

The Co-ed team led the way, winning not just the overall divisional title but also securing gold in the drilling and surveying events at the illustrious competition.

The Men’s A team secured top spot in the ‘mucking event’, which involves running a one tonne ore wagon down a 75’ track and filling it as quickly as possible - the second successive year the team have been crowned world ‘mucking’ champions. The team also secured silver in both the ‘hand steel’ and ‘track stand’ events.

The Men’s B team also enjoyed a successful competition, finishing in fourth place overall.

The CSM teams, who received support from the Camborne School of Mines Trust, were the only UK representatives taking part at the three-day event, hosted by the Western Australia School of Mines, in Kalgoorlie.

Speaking after the event competitor Rhys Hill, from the Camborne School of Mines, said: “It has been a fantastic experience and once again, CSM has shown that it can compete amongst the very best in the world.

“It was a mammoth effort by everyone involved, and we all want to say a huge congratulations to the Co-ed team on securing overall victory. But we also won a host of individual event medals and everyone played their part to make it such a success.”

Professor Ken Evans, Dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences said: “Our students have a strong tradition of performing magnificently at the International Mining Games, and this year’s competitors were no exception. It is a magnificent team effort by those involved to take on, and beat, the very best of their peers from across the world, and we are all absolutely delighted and proud of their achievements.”

The International Mining Games, now in their 37^th year, were first held in 1978 in honour of miners killed after fire broke out at the Sunshine mine near Kellogg, Idaho, USA, as well as all miners who have perished in the line of duty.  The competition seeks to keep the old-fashioned mining techniques alive, as well as strengthen the camaraderie of the mining students of today.