CSM Mining Team brings home bronze

For the first time in three years, the Colorado School of Mines attended the International Intercollegiate Mining Competition, regarded as the measuring stick for worldwide mining universities. Consisting of seven events based on historical mining methods, the games were established to commemorate the 91 Idaho miners lost in the 1972 Sunshine Mine Disaster. At this year’s competition, held in Kalgoorlie, Australia on April 8 and 9, the Oredigger team placed second in four events, solidifying an overall bronze medal in the games. 

In conjunction with the competition, the Australian Institute for Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) held the New Leaders Conference in the days prior. This event targets college students as they reach the beginning of their careers to facilitate their development into industry leaders of tomorrow. The CSM team members attended, giving students an opportunity to make international connections, build career skills and get a glimpse of the current state of Australian mining activities and technologies. Colorado School of Mines was one of only two U.S. schools represented at the conference, giving team members time to make friends among the Australian students and acclimate to cultural differences.

Practice was scheduled the next day for all teams, giving competitors time to fine-tune their preparations and adjust to any differences in competition tools. In attendance were schools from across the United States – including South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Arizona State, Virginia Tech and University of Nevada at Reno, a team from Britain, and many Australian universities, including University of Queensland, University of Adelaide, University of Melbourne, and the host institution, Western Australia School of Mines.

Having learned a great deal and making some great friends during the conference and practice days, the Oredigger team turned their attentions to competition performance, with many new friends rooting them on. Third, Fourth and Fifth place standings in track stand, surveying and jacklegging events kept CSM in the running among top tier teams. Turning in many team and personal best performances vaulted the Orediggers to silver medal finishes in swede sawing, hand mucking, hand steeling, and gold panning events, netting the 2010 Colorado School of Mines Co-ed Team a Bronze Medal overall.

Next year’s competition will be held in Reno, Nevada. The Colorado School of Mines Team is open to all CSM students, and is actively seeking additional members to complete rosters for Men’s, Women’s, and Co-Ed pisions which will begin practice in the fall. For an opportunity to meet students from other mining universities around the world, learn about the history of this exciting industry, and represent Colorado School of Mines on an international stage, the Mining Team provides a unique experience. For questions regarding the International Intercollegiate Mining Competition or joining the Oredigger Team, please contact team spokesperson Logan Ronhovde at lronhovd@mines.edu.

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