12 October 2012
1. The Nz Geo Blacks in front of the Orica Blast Face event, competitors had to design a firing sequence then load and tie in charges to simulate an underground blast. The team won this event finishing in just over 19 minutes.Team from left to right Tobias Francis (University of Auckland), Lauren Farmer (University of Otago), Sarah Smith (Geotech), Christopher Atkinson (Golder Associates), Johan van Blerk (University of Ballarat) and in front Chris Rendell (DOC)
2. The Geo Blacks receiving their awards for 1st place in the mixed division, as well as placing first in the blast face and surveying events. Team from left to right Christopher Atkinson, Tobias Francis, Sarah Smith, Lauren Farmer, Johan van Blerk with team manager John Taylor in front.
The Australian Intercollegiate Mining Games were held last week at the University of Ballarat. The games were started in remembrance of the Sunshine mine disaster in Idaho, which killed 91 people in 1972. This year New Zealand entered a mixed team to the competition, including Lauren Farmer from the department. After two days of events which ranged from gold panning to rail setting the kiwi team came out on top, winning the mixed division trophy as well individual prizes in the blast face and surveying events. The team manager is hopeful that after this strong performance enough sponsorship will be raised for next years event so New Zealand will be able to send more than one team to the games. Anyone wishing to know more about the mining games or the AusIMM should join the AusIMM NZ Branch facebook page or speak to Lauren Farmer.