WA mine safety event draws 200 competitors

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Image credit: www.newleaders2014.ausimm.com.au

The young mining leaders of Australia, the country’s next generation of  geologists, engineers and resource industry leaders gathered in Perth last week for two major mining events:  the 2014 National Collegiate Mining Games, held at The University of Western Australia (UWA), and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) New Leaders’ Conference.

Image credit: www.newleaders2014.ausimm.com.au
Image credit: www.newleaders2014.ausimm.com.au

Perth is a first-time host of the games which are held in conjunction with AusIMM’s New Leaders’ Conference.

The events are aimed at raising awareness regarding the future of mining and petroleum in Australia, especially among the students and graduates from the minerals sector.

According to the media statement by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion, around 200 competitors took part in the two-day event that comprised of competitions such as traditional air drilling, gold panning, laying railway track and hand-chiselling concrete.

“These games are an important reminder of WA’s rich mining heritage and the enormous contribution the industry makes to our State’s wealth. The games keep traditional mining techniques alive, while strengthening the camaraderie among our future mining leaders,” the Minister said.

Adertisement

The games are part of the International Collegiate Mining Games, developed in memory of 91 people killed in America’s Sunshine Mine disaster in 1972.

“That tragedy had a global impact on industry standards that have since been pivotal in protecting the lives of thousands of mine workers,” the Minister said.