CSM Association

CSM Association

The Camborne School of Mines Association was formed for all former students of the School and is an independent, self-governing organisation which finances itself entirely, mostly through members' subscriptions. The annual subscription is £20, with free membership in the first year for new graduates.

There are approx 1,000 members who receive three newsletter per year and a copy of the CSM Association Journal, which has been published since 1896. The Association helps to organise social functions throughout the world. Recently, there have been functions in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Jo'burg and Vancouver.

The Association maintains a database of former students, which is used to enable members to maintain contact worldwide. About half the members are residing or working overseas, particularly in Australia, Malaysia, Southern Africa, West Africa, and in the U.S. and Canada. Many being employed in production mining, or in exploration, in tunnelling, civil engineering, quarrying, or in associated financial institutions. There used to be a saying that at the bottom of every hole in the world you would find a Cornishman. However, increasingly, graduates are involved with the oil industry, so there is a very active branch of the Association in Aberdeen.

Former students have traditionally had very close links with each other and with CSM. Sport has always played a very important part of the life of the School. The CSM RFC and CSM AFC have both recently celebrated their Centenary years and are amongst the oldest football clubs in the UK. The major social functions throughout the year are the Barrel Match where current students play past students at rugby, soccer, hockey and squash and the 'Bottle match' where CSM plays its old adversary, the Royal School of Mines (RSM) for a black, battered, metal bottle.

The association's emblem is silver, blue and gold with the fifteen balls of Cornwall overlaid by CSM and crossed pick and shovel, and the motto 'Laboris Gloria Ludi', which means 'games (are) the glory of work'.