University Mine opens to the public

The University of Queensland's Experimental Mine at Isles Road, Indooroopilly will hold a free Open Weekend on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4.

The two-day program will include guided tours of the only known university-owned underground mine in the world located within a major city.

University senior lecturer in mining engineering Dr Stewart Gillies said tours would be conducted by students from the Mining, Minerals and Materials Engineering and Earth Sciences Departments.

'Visitors can also pan for gold, enjoy displays and food stalls and see a pilot plant demonstrating different methods of minerals processing,' he said.

The University acquired the former silver-lead (galena) mine in 1957 for teaching and research projects. Students can learn about surface and underground surveying, general mining engineering, mine ventilation, ore extraction, drilling, pumping, rock mechanics and mine illumination.

The annual Mine Open Weekend attracts more than 2000 visitors.

'The Open Weekend is now a well-established tradition. This year will be our 32nd,' Dr Gillies said.

Fifteen student teams from the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology will compete in mining competitions, including geology rock identification and alluvial gold panning, mine surveying, rock drilling, track laying and mucking - which involves filling mine tubs with rock and racing them up and down tracks to emptying stations.

New competition events this year include laying 'dummy' explosives in the right sequences in an underground development and hanging an auxiliary ventilation bag.

Fourth-year University of Queensland bachelor of engineering (mining) student Justin Burnside said students were looking forward to the event.

'Students like the Open Weekend because they have a chance to participate in a mix of physical and thinking mining industry events, and to develop some public relations skills,' he said.

The mine will be open 10 am to 4 pm both days, with tours and student competitions running continuously. Mine tours are available to people aged over 12 years and wearing closed footwear.

For more information, contact Eric Muhlings at the Experimental Mine (telephone 3365 5801).