International Mining Games
King Edward Mine (KEM) is the host and training ground for teams from Camborne School of Mines who competed in the 45th Intercollegiate International Mining Games at Western Australia School of Mines on 24th & 25th March 2023. See the teams train and compete in the video 'GRIT'.
The team wish to thank the generous sponsorship of Padley & Venables https://www.padley-venables.com without which they would be unable to take part.
The Women's team came 2nd place overall. Placed 1st place in Hand Muck and Swede Saw; 2nd place in Surveying and Hand Steel and 3rd place in Gold Pan, Track Stand and Jackleg Drill.
The Men's team also did very well coming 8th overall, placing 1st in Surveying and 3rd in Hand Muck. The competition was tough and everyone competing powered through the Kalgoorlie heat.
A huge thank you to our generous sponsors, which are featured on our Women’s team kit, including Cornish Metals Inc., Deswik, Cornish Lithium Plc, King Edward Mine and Women In Mining UK (WIM UK).
Formed in 2006 as 'Team GB', CSMIMG is a 100% student-run mining team who compete annually at the International Intercollegiate Mining Competition. They are based in the heart of the Cornish metal mining industry, near Camborne, Cornwall. The annual event brings together future industry leaders from all over the world.
In team sports, the importance of building a sense of togetherness and unity is often underestimated. These games teach students the value of team harmony and solidarity through physical and mental challenges.
International International Games were first held at KEM in 2012 and 2018 when we welcomed teams from Australia, Brazil, USA and Europe. We are expecting the competition to return to Cornwall in March 2025.
There are seven events and the winter training happens in the Exhibition Field at King Edward Mine, near the Croust Hut cafe.
- Jackleg Drilling – Drill into vertical concrete with a Holmans 303 airleg drill
Track Laying – Set up and tear down a section of track, including sleepers, rail, connecting plates and bolts - Hand Mucking – Run a 1 ton ore wagon down a 75 foot section of track and fill it
- Swede Saw – Saw through a 6’’x6’’ piece of timber with a 36’’ bow saw
Gold Panning – Find five flattened ball bearings in a pan full of dirt and rock - Hand Drilling – Drill into concrete using a 3 -4lb hammer and a 7/8’’ chisel
Surveying – Teams are given a starting point and expected to report the coordinates of a finishing point using an old fashioned vernier transit
For further sponsorship details for the 46th Games in Montana USA contact Team Captains Joe jjm235@exeter.ac.uk or Amy ag808@exeter.ac.uk
The international student games were the original inspiration for the Cornwall Schools Mining Games that will be held at KEM for the fourth time on June 22nd 2023 - see our events page for details.
The competition was started in 1978 in honour of the 91 miners that died in the Sunshine Mine disaster, USA in 1972, as well as miners that have since died in the line of duty.
The primary aim of the competition is to keep the “old-fashioned” mining techniques alive, many of which were developed in Cornwall. In many villages in the 20th century, men could be seem competing in hand-steeling competitions. Below is a photo taken at King Edward Mine, Cornwall in 1910.
Take a look at the King Edward Mine Youtube Channel by clicking the red arrow below.
There are instructional videos about the Cornish Tin Mill, and also about the ecology of the site and Cornwall Schools Mining Games.
