Mine Museum prepares to host International Intercollegiate Mining Games

King Edward Mine Museum (KEM), which forms part of the UNESCO Mining World Heritage Area of Cornwall and is situated on the outskirts of Camborne, welcomed a record number of visitors this summer.

Many of them had travelled from overseas to marvel at the dramatic piece of Cornish world history that this heritage asset represents.

KEM is dedicated to sharing the history of mining on the Great Flat Lode – the mineral-rich body of rock beneath the southern granite slopes of Carn Brea – and the resurgence of Cornish mining as a key driver in the UK’s transition towards clean power and Net Zero.

Set within a Grade II* listed mining complex near the village of Troon, KEM tells the extraordinary stories of Cornish miners; maintains and operates an impressive collection of historic equipment, and seeks to inspire the next generation to become part of the county’s re-emerging mining industry.

“The story here is about people; the ingenuity of those innovators who created the engineering advances we see preserved here, those who exported them across the globe, those who have worked and trained at KEM, and our incredible team of volunteers who bring its rich industrial legacy to life for the benefit of our increasing number of visitors,” explains KEM Trustee, Carol Richards.

“With a growing sense of national pride and interest in the achievements of the Industrial Revolution, and the resurgence of mining in Cornwall that will provide the critical minerals we need for a sustainable future, this museum has so much to offer, and our visitor numbers have certainly reflected an appreciation of that during the past year.”

KEM, 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. Its unique collection of functioning historic mining equipment, including an operational Cornish tin mill and Holman winding engine, is its greatest resource. KEM is currently restoring one of the last wooden headframes in the county, which it plans to erect over its main mineshaft in 2025.

As a charity, KEM relies on generating revenue from guided tours and school visits, supplemented by retail sales through its shop and its commercial arrangement with the Croust Hut Café, which is a popular, year-round amenity for ramblers, dog-walkers and community groups.

“KEM is committed to forging a sustainable business model that enables it to survive and thrive, and in order to do this, we hope to encourage more local people to become involved as volunteers, sponsors and trustees,” adds Carol.

“Whilst we are supported by a range of enthusiastic and skilled individuals, we are launching a campaign to attract new volunteers to help us tell the story of Cornish mining in particular, so that we can enhance our visitor offer yet further and extend our opening hours next year.”

KEM believes that there is no better place to spark an interest in STEAM subjects in the school curriculum – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – than in its museum. Its collections provide an invaluable opportunity for students in primary, secondary and further education to explore a variety of learning objectives within geoscience, and KEM has appointed two part-time Education Officers to support them.

In 2018, KEM established the Cornwall Schools Mining Games (CSMG) for Year 8 school pupils and the fifth CSMG was held in June this year. KEM is also a proud supporter of The International Intercollegiate Mining Games (IMG), which it hosted in 2012 and 2018, and will 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.

KEM 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.

“It is a privilege for us to host the IMG once again on 21st and 22nd March next year, just prior to our summer opening in April, and planning is well underway to transform our site for the occasion,” comments Carol. “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.”

“The International Intercollegiate Mining Games is an international event that brings together industry leaders, students and graduates,” concludes CSM alumnus and IMG President for 2024/2025, Joseph McCarthy. “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!”

To find out more about King Edward Mine Museum and how to become one of its regular guides or help out in Reception, please visit www.kingedwardmine.co.uk

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