Intercollegiate International Mining Games (IMG)
The 48th International Mining Games took place in Arizona, USA in March 2026 where 45 teams from USA, Australia, Canada, Germany and Cornwall competed in 7 events. Two teams from Camborne School of Mines (CSM) in Cornwall took part after completing their training at King Edward Mine over the autumn/winter.
CSM Womens team retained their title as world champions. The Women’s team had an outstanding competition, successfully defending their title and finishing 1st out of 10 teams. They placed in the top three in every event and secured victory with less than half the points of the second-place team (lowest score wins). Well done for this amazing result.
After an unfortunate early disqualification in Hand Muck, the team recovered well and delivered strong results across the remaining events, finishing 4th overall out of 21 teams. If the time for a re-run of Hand Muck had been allowed, then the men would have also retained their world title. Highlights included a first-place finish in Hand Steel, the first in Camborne’s history, and an excellent second place in Swede Saw.
King Edward Mine was proud to host the The 47th Intercollegiate International Mining Games on 21st and 22nd March 2025.
The 49th International Mining Games will be hosted by Colorado School of Mines in March 2027.
Here are the events;
- 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
Photo Credit Media Memories Photography https://www.facebook.com/AimeeJohn.Memories.Photography
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 international student games were the original inspiration for the Cornwall Schools Mining Games that will be held at KEM for the fifth time on 19th June 2025 - 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.
