Games to celebrate mining traditions 21 Dec 2017

The world of mining has a long and traditional alliance with the world civil engineering underground construction and many teams of engineers and professionals began their careers and completed their education in mining.

Celebrating the traditions and historic processes of the mining industry and the over lap of these into the civil engineering industry is the focus of an international series of games. Held every year for the past three decades, the 40th convening of the International Mining Games (IMG) will be hosted by the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) in Cornwall in the UK from 29 March to 1 April 2018.

The annual event is held also in remembrance of the 91 lives that were lost in the Sunshine Mining Disaster in Idaho in 1978 and to commemorate all those who have died in the line of mining duty since. The Games not only promote old mining traditions, many of which were developed in Cornwall, but also provides an opportunity for student networking and for companies to scout the new and enthusiastic talent for the future of the mining industry.

CSM first competed in the Games in 2006 and first hosted the event in 2012. In 2018, the venue in Cornwall will be the Kind Edward Mine, a UNSECO world-heritage designated site. Given its history as a training facility for a large proportion of the CSM history, the King Edward Mine is highly suited for hosting the seven events which range from jackleg drilling and hand mucking to swede saw cutting, gold panning, hand steeling, track stand setting and surveying.

As a leader in mining education and research and now part of the University of Exeter, CSM recognises the challenges in hiring skilled employees, and by hosting the IMG it will promote the mining industry within the wider community, as well as demonstrate the calibre of students beginning their careers in the industry. More than 350 participants from all over the world, including from USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Brazil and South Africa.

Man Engine will be on tour promoting the Games

On the first night captains and teams will meet at a welcome dinner to be followed by a training day to ensure all participants are familiar with the equipment. Friday 30 March will be the first publically accessible day with the women’s, alumni and co-ed competitions, and the men’s events following on Saturday. On the final day, after the competition, an awards ceremony gala dinner takes place in the evening.

Preparations for the 2018 Games are well underway. The event ground has been prepared and the concrete sets for drilling events are due to be cast. All are welcome to attend the Games and cheer on the teams. Sponsorship of opportunities are also open to companies operating the mining and underground construction industries.

Promoting the event and careers in mining is the highly anticipated return of the Man Engine, the largest mechanical puppet ever constructed in Britain. The machine will be on tour in the South West of the UK before moving up into South Wales, through the Midlands and finally concluding in South Yorkshire and the Peak District. The increased interest and publicity brought in by the arrival of the Man Engine will ensure the Mining Games is seen by a much wider audience, improving on the 2012 competition.

More details are available on the official website of the 2018 International Mining Games.