International Mining Games
In 2025, the Games return to King Edward Mine when we will welcome teams from USA, Australia and Europe. Teams arrive on 19th March, practice will be on 20th March, games 21st and 22nd March. Please put these dates in your diary!
King Edward Mine (KEM) is the host and training ground for teams from Camborne School of Mines. CSM competed in the 46th Intercollegiate International Mining Games in Montana USA on 22nd and 23rd March 2024. They wish to thank the generous sponsorship of Padley & Venables, Cornish Metals, Deswik, Liberty, Cornish Lithium, Women in Mining and Drllserve without which they would be unable to take part.
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. The competition will 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 in June 2024 - 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.
