KEM International Mining Games Team

Getton Boys!

1st in Trackstand - 4 mins 36 seconds, a team best
2nd in hand muck - 3 mins 4 seconds, a team best
2nd in jackleg - 4m 19 cm despite a stuck steel
3rd place in surveying, despite awful weather

Absolutely incredible results overall, and a massive well done to the CSM mens and Women's teams for taking the overall win!

I'm so proud to have been a part of this over the last 6 months, from the initial chat with Barney about entering the games, taking Willem and Tom underground for the first time, track stands in the pitch dark and hand mucks in the pouring rain, you lads have given it your all, and I'm so lucky to have such an incredible team!

As your captain, I couldn't have asked for more, and I hope you're all as chuffed as I am!

A huge thankyou to King Edward Mine Museum, Cornish Metals Inc. and Mount Baker Mining and Metals, for the support over the last few months, we honestly wouldn't have been able to do this without you!

Finn B

Practice day went well, good times all around and great to see the other teams competing, women's and Co-Ed teams tomorrow, then men's and us competing on the Saturday! Feeling confident and happy all round today, massive thanks to all the volunteers who made today possible!

With only a week until the games kick off, it's amazing to see how far we've come, from our first training session in late September, not really knowing each other or quite what we were getting ourselves into, to a team ready to compete in an international competition!

Massive thanks to Cornish Metals Inc., Mount Baker Mining and Metals and King Edward Mine Museum, as well as everyone else who has helped us along the way, we couldn't be more grateful for your support!

Thanks also to Media Memories-Photography for the amazing photos!

Happy St Pirans day!

With the games just over two weeks away, we're definitely getting into the spirit now. Lots to do beforehand, but definitely looking forward to it!

Last week, we finally managed to get outside to practice surveying for the upcoming competition. Here, Dr Keith Russ is showing the team how to correctly sight Carn Brea monument, one of the landmarks with known coordinates we use for the calculations.

We're extremely grateful to have such an experienced surveyor helping us understand how to use the theodolite correctly, as well as carry out the complex calculations used to determine the coordinates of an unknown position, based on measured angles and distances.

Today Finn, our team captain, attended the kindly hosted by Truro and Penwith collage at their STEM and Health Skills Center, meeting with representatives from many of the mining, geology and engineering sectors in Cornwall, looking at how we can help young people to secure a future in the critical minerals industry.

It was great to meet with many of the business, voluntary and educational communities who attended today, including Mark Ebden, the national STEM learning lead.

A massive thank you to Truro and Penwith collage for hosting the event, as well as everyone who attended.

The purpose of the International Mining Games:

In 1972, a fire broke out in the Sunshine Mine, in Kellogg, Idaho. Thick smoke meant the underground teams were unable to find and extinguish the fire, and the miners were told to evacuate. Unfortunately, due to high levels of carbon monoxide, only 80 of the 173 miners escaped, with another two being rescued a week after the fire.

The purpose of the games now is to commemorate the 91 miners who died in the Sunshine Mine, as well as pay tribute to all the other miners who have died in the line of duty. They also serve as a means to preserve traditional mining techniques, as well as to bring students together from all over the world.

We are so proud to be able to take part, especially as it gives us an opportunity to pay our respects to the Cornish Miners tragically killed whilst working underground.

A good weekend training on the drills! We've been lucky enough to get some underground drilling done over the weekend, as well as some practice on the concrete blocks we'll use for the competition in March at King Edward Mine.

Massive thank you to Mark Kaczmarek and Keith Russ from Cornish Metals Inc. , who have come up and braved the cold to help us with training. Keith is an experienced surveyor, and will be helping us learn how to use a theodolite to survey, whilst Mark is an incredible drilling instructor with years of experience at South Crofty, who makes operating the Holman 303 look easy!

Absolutely amazing news! Having the government's support is an incredible step forward for Cornish Mining!!

From the perspective of a team of young adults hoping to work in the mining industry, this brings it closer to home, and may perhaps be the start of a bright future in Cornwall!

Well done Cornish Metals Inc.