Pasties, pints and advice on networking, with CSM students

I was at the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus again last night, this time for a very pleasant evening hosted by the Camborne School of Mines Association (CSMA). The CSMA currently has around 1,000 members from all over the globe and helps to organise social functions throughout the world, in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Johannesburg and Vancouver, and of course the UK, to name but a few.

Last night's event brought together CSM alumni, and past and present staff, to share pints and pasties with current CSM students in the Stannary bar, and talk about the benefits of joining the Association. Talking to people wherever and whenever possible was the all important mesasage to the students, as was the value of social media, particularly LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, ideal for staying abreast of what is going on.

CSMA Secretary Claire Yelland (2nd right) with students

BW with students

Students with alumnus and current lecturer Andy Wetherelt.....

....and with former lecturer Tony Batchelor

And on the subject of social media, yesterday I learned via the CSM Association's Facebook site of further developments on the resurgence of the South Crofty tin mine at Camborne, which has been closed for almost two decades. Work is set to begin next month on testing the water in the mine, with the aim of applying to the Environmental Agency for a ‘discharge permit’ to begin dewatering. According to Strongbow Exploration, the aim is to be able to treat and discharge up to 25,000m3 per day, which would allow for the mine to be dewatered over an 18-24 month period. So some cause for optimism?

Jan Cilliers (left) with award

 

Also yesterday I learned via Twitter that my old friend Prof. Jan Cilliers, of Imperial College, was awarded the IOM3's Futers Gold Medal back in June! Although we met up and had a long chat at the IMPC in Quebec, he never mentioned this- a modest chap, but well done Jan and many congratulations on a well deserved honour.

 

So the central message of last night was make use of all networking opportunities. Social media is great, but there is no substitute for talking with people face to face. And if you are not convinced, here is some even more ancient advice on networking:

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others".

Pericles, c 450 BC

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime".

Mark Twain c 1900

Twitter @barrywills