KING Edward Mine Museum (KEM), which forms part of the UNESCO Mining World Heritage Area of Cornwall situated on the outskirts of Camborne, is gearing up to host the International Intercollegiate Mining Games (IMG) in March.

KEM is a proud supporter of IMG, which it hosted in 2012 and 2018, and will now host for a third time in 2025. The IMG was established in 1978 to honour the 91 miners who died in the Sunshine Mine disaster in the USA in 1972.

It provides mining students with the chance to connect with the traditional mineral extraction methods of yesteryear as well as gain transferable skills and benefit from career development opportunities. The competition consists of seven events: Jackleg Drilling, Hand Steeling, Swede Saw, Hand Mucking, Surveying, Track Stand and Gold Panning.

Mark Kaczmarek from Cornish Metals teaching Camborne School of Mines' students how to set up the Holman 303 drill safely - Image Credit Media Memories Photography
Mark Kaczmarek from Cornish Metals teaching Camborne School of Mines' students how to set up the Holman 303 drill safely. Picture: Media Memories Photography (Submitted)

The museum provides the training ground for teams from CSM and looks forward to welcoming them alongside mining schools from the USA, Australia and Europe to participate in Camborne 2025, the 47th edition of this high-profile international competition.

KEM trustee, Carol Richards, said: “It is a privilege for us to host the IMG once again and planning is well underway to transform our site for the occasion. The concrete for the drilling competition has been cast and a new compressor for driving rock drills has arrived.

“KEM will also be entering a team of volunteers, which is likely to be the youngest in the competition, consisting of a Plymouth University geology student, two local engineering apprentices from A&P and Henwood Engineering, and three A level students from Camborne.

“This event not only presents an exceptional opportunity for us to showcase the museum and its activities to educational institutions, nationally and internationally, but also to public and private funding bodies in Cornwall and beyond.”

Camborne School of Mines' women's team training for the jackleg drilling event - Image Credit Media Memories Photography
Camborne School of Mines' women's team training for the jackleg drilling event. Picture: Media Memories Photography (Submitted)

CSM alumnus and IMG president for 2024/25, Joseph McCarthy, added: “Camborne 2025 provides an unparalleled opportunity to present the UK mining industry, through CSM, as one of the up-and-coming mining jurisdictions in the world, and display the talent and experience we have here in Cornwall.

“The 47th IMG will be the third time that the UK and KEM have hosted this prestigious event and following CSM’s outstanding performance in the 2024 games, with our women’s team finishing second and our men’s team placing eighth, we will strive to use our home advantage to best effect!”

Camborne School of Mines' women's team training for the mucking event - Image Credit Media Memories Photography.
Camborne School of Mines' women's team training for the mucking event. Picture: Media Memories Photography (Submitted)

KEM also established the Cornwall Schools Mining Games (CSMG) in 2018 for Year eight school pupils and the fifth CSMG was held in June last year.

The museum, which was the home of Camborne School of Mines (CSM) from 1897 and has trained generations of CSM students, is one of only a few mining museums to exist in Cornwall. The museum believes that there is no better place to spark an interest in STEAM subjects in the school curriculum – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

To find out more about Camborne 2025: The 47th International Intercollegiate Mining Games, visit www.kingedwardmine.co.uk/international-mining-games