The Cornish Mining Sundowner returns to Falmouth's Chain Locker Inn

It's hard to believe that the last Cornish Mining Sundowner at the Chain Locker was 19 months ago, but last night, with Coronavirus restrictions eased, we returned to our old haunt, with a great attendance and a number of new faces.

Making his sundowner debut was the new head of Camborne School of Mines (CSM), Prof. Stephen Hesselbo, and it was also good to see Dr. Penda Diallo, who is leaving CSM after 4 years as a lecturer in Sustainable Mining, to take up a position at the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative as Qualitative Research Manager.

Prof. Hesselbo presenting Penda with a bouquet in appreciation of her time at CSM

Stephen arrives, and Penda leaves, at a critical time in the history of CSM, as there has been no intake of undergraduate mining engineering students this year, due to Exeter University’s decision to end recruitment to undergraduate mining engineering for the first time in the 134-year history of CSM (posting of 13 September 2020).

However, all is possibly not lost, as I talked to my old CSM colleague John Coggan, Professor of Rock Engineering, last night. John is the Chair of a Working Group set up by CSM to investigate the potential interest from industry in supporting the development of an industry-focused pioneering degree-level blended learning undergraduate provision in ‘mining engineering’ to educate and train the next generation of mining professionals. The programme builds on the future demand for earth resources, green energy and technology metals, expectations around sustainability, and well-managed use of these precious resources. The pioneering programme is based on an apprenticeship style-programme and has been developed with an Industry Advisory Panel to ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of industry, incorporates best practice, and identifies the key knowledge, skills and behaviours that are essential to design, operate and safely manage either an underground or surface mining operation. To help shape and refine the structure and content of the programme, and to assess the level of potential interest, industry representatives have been asked to complete a short survey which closes on the 17th September. The results of the survey will help inform a proposal that will be presented to senior University management for approval towards the end of October, so hopefully there will be some good news for the November sundowner.

Stephen, Penda and John

Last night's sundowner was also the last before one of our regulars, Alexandra Sweeney, who has been working with the Met4Tech Centre goes to Durham to start her Mine water geothermal PhD. We wish Penda and Alexandra every success. 

Alexandra (4th left) with Stephen Hesselbo, flanked by CSM mineral processing lecturer
Dr, Rob Fitzpatrick, and Alexandra's mother Prof. Frances Wall, a former head of CSM

It felt like we were back to 'normality' again last night, but we must be wary, the pandemic is not yet over, and the winter months are approaching. All being well the next sundowner will be at the Chain Locker on Thursday October 21st, commencing at 5.30 pm. Do join us if you are in the Falmouth area.

@barrywills