A group of Missouri University of Science and Technology students is preparing to travel across the country to compete in events based on mining techniques generally known as “mucking.” The students will compete in the 41st annual International Intercollegiate Mining Competition held Wednesday, March 20, through Saturday, March 23, at the University of Nevada-Reno.

Missouri S&T will send several student teams to compete against other collegiate teams from around the world in events based on mining techniques used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Students will compete in timed events like gold panning, surveying, hand-mucking, hand-steeling, track-standing, Swede sawing and jackleg drilling.

First held in 1978, the games were created to honor 91 miners who died in a fire at Idaho’s Sunshine Mine in 1972. The mine was quickly filled with carbon monoxide and smoke, and it became one of the worst disasters in Idaho’s history.

The competition celebrates traditional mining practices and helps create a global community of mining students. Mining colleges and universities around the world rotate hosting the competition. Approximately 200 students are expected to compete at this year’s event.

The following students will represent Missouri S&T:

Women’s Team:

Taylor Darnall, a senior in mining engineering from Danvers, Illinois

Genevieve Kelly, a senior in mechanical engineering from Ellisville, Missouri

Brooklan Davis, a senior in geological engineering from Strafford, Missouri

Kylie Bell, a senior in mining engineering from Roseville, Ohio

Rebekah Averill, a senior in nuclear engineering from Farwell, Michigan

Hannah Hill, a senior in mining engineering from Wentzville, Missouri.

Men’s A Team:

Andrew Johnson, a senior in mining engineering from Nixa, Missouri

Chance Moore, a graduate student in explosives engineering from Palmyra, Missouri

Chris Hudak, a senior in economics from Brecksville, Ohio

Alex Sibley, a senior in mining engineering from Black, Missouri

John Ehart, a senior in mining engineering from Ballwin, Missouri

Edward Christian, a sophomore in mining engineering from Lake St. Louis, Missouri.

Men’s B Team:

Ronin Sessions, a sophomore in mining engineering from Gainesville, Florida

Brett Winterberg, a junior in mining engineering from La Vale, Maryland

Ryan Sibley, a sophomore in mining engineering from Black, Missouri

Alex Wolff, a sophomore in mining engineering from St. Louis

Nathan Rado, a sophomore in mining engineering from Arnold, Missouri

Colton Hart, a junior in mining engineering from Jefferson City, Missouri.