CSM International Mining Games, hosted in Camborne

Hi, my name is Lewis Andrews and I am the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) Men's Team Captain for the 47th Annual International Mining Games being hosted at home this year at King Edward Mine, by us CSM students.

This year, CSM are entering four teams to the games with both a Men's, Women's and 2 Co-Ed (mixed gender) teams to compete on the 21st and 22nd of March. This has been made possible due to the generosity of our sponsors, including Padley and Venables, Barminco-Perenti, Vault Minerals, The CSM Trust and many more.

Despite support from our sponsors, hosting a games of this size costs significantly more than attending one. This means that a lot of the money that is usually spent on the teams we enter is being used on making the competition a once in a lifetime. Therefore, to help raise some funds for the team kit and other expenditures relating to the Camborne teams entering, we are all going to partake in a sponsored run along the great flat lode (approximately a 7.5 mile run) which will start and end at our competition grounds (King Edward Mine) on Sunday 2nd March.

For anyone who does not know what the Great Flat Lode is, here is a little insight:

The Great Flat Lode walk is a trail created by Cornwall Council which circles Carn Brea hill and takes you through the heart of Cornwall’s former mining district. It encapsulates many of the old engine houses with visible shafts. I would highly recommend walking it when in the area, to anyone who hasn’t done so before.

Any donations will directly go to the team's fund and are greatly appreciated by all involved with CSM Mining Games Teams.

History of the competition:

The competition was started in 1978 in honour of the 91 miners that died in the Sunshine Mine disaster and to remember miners that have since perished in the line of duty. 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 provides a talent scouting opportunity for mining companies and companies in related sectors and enhances the camaraderie of the mining students over international borders.

The competition consists of seven events: Jackleg Drilling, Hand Steeling, Swede Saw, Hand Mucking, Surveying, Track stand and Gold Panning. The games are highly competitive, with teams entering from mining schools in Australia, America and Europe. There are separate men's, women's and mixed competitions.

Thank you for your support, hopefully I will see a lot of you at the competition! (Thursday 20th: training day, Friday 21st: Women’s and Co-Ed comp day, Saturday 22nd: Men’s comp day).

To follow the progress of our run, and training for the games, head over to our instagram: img.csm, competition updates will also be posted here!