These mining games are held annually between the USA, UK and Australia and were originally established to commemorate the 91 miners who lost their lives during the 1972 Sunshine Mine disaster in Idaho, USA. Continuing this tradition, the Local Mining Games serves to commemorate not only these individuals but all those who have lost their lives in the resources industry across the world, and here in Australia.
The Local Mining Games also strives to preserve traditional manual mining techniques which were employed across the globe up until the early 1900s. These techniques are reflected in the events which teams compete in, namely; truck set, muck and cart, swede saw, airleg drilling, hand steel, blast board, survey, rock identification and gold panning.
This year, the games will be held on Saturday the 7th of October 2023 from 7am to 4pm. A mandatory induction for airleg drilling will be held on Friday the 6th of October, facilitated by our airleg provider and airleg event sponsor Sandvik.
This induction requires at least three members from each team (the three members who will compete in drilling) to be present, and will go through both proper technique for airleg drilling and event safety. Those who do not attend this induction will not be permitted to participate in the airleg drilling event.
This has been decided in order to ensure the safety of both competitors and facilitators.
