Codi-Lilli Brooks (MEng Mining Engineering, 2024)
Graduate Mining Engineer, Glencore Australia
When I first came across Mining Engineering at the Camborne School of Mines (CSM), I honestly didn’t know exactly what it involved – but that curiosity is what hooked me. I’d studied Geology at A level and was looking through the University of Exeter courses when I noticed that my degree would be part of CSM. That immediately stood out. I started reading more about mining engineering, thought “that sounds pretty cool”, and applied.
CSM itself is such a unique place to study. The Penryn Campus – where CSM is based – is small, tight‑knit, and full of people who share similar ambitions and interests. One of the best things about CSM is that everyone is accepted – no matter your personality, background, or how “out there” you think you are. I always felt comfortable being myself.
Cornwall isn’t your typical university setting either and that’s exactly why I loved it. I’d spent time there during my A-levels and was drawn to how calm it is compared to cities. There’s nothing better than waking up early and heading to the beach for sunrise; it sets the tone for the whole day
Mining Engineering at CSM is an amazing all‑rounder. It’s engineering, but with geology, geotechnics, chemistry, blasting, rock mechanics – everything intertwined. Each module felt different and interesting, and together they built this broad understanding that sets you up perfectly for working in the industry.
And when you get into the workplace, suddenly you realise how useful that mix is. You find yourself understanding the software geotechs use, speaking to geologists in their own technical language, and grasping how blasting influences rock behaviour. Having that multidisciplinary foundation is a huge advantage.
The lecturers deserve special credit. They work incredibly hard to create opportunities for their students, whether that’s site visits, industry talks, field trips, or chances to get involved in real mining operations. They genuinely want you to succeed, and you feel that. In our final year the lecturers bent over backwards to make a trip to Chile happen for us, where we visited one of the largest underground mines in the world and it’s still one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
CSM also pushes you into the professional world quickly. In my case, I completed a three‑month internship in Ireland at the Tara lead and zinc mine. I also received a Glencore scholarship, which led me to Mount Isa for my second internship. That internship ended up being a gateway to my graduate job, they offered me a role before I’d even finished my degree, which was an incredible weight off my shoulders.
I now work as a Graduate Mining Engineer at the George Fisher operation in Mount Isa. I’m residential rather than FIFO (fly‑in, fly‑out), which means I live in the town rather than hopping in and out on rotation. My role involves short-term planning, designing underground developments, thinking about infrastructure like ventilation and electrical systems, and now working on production design, including stope layouts and drill plans. I spent three months underground with the development crew, watching my designs become reality. Seeing it all in practice has massively accelerated my understanding of the operation.
Mining is a misunderstood industry, many people still picture someone with a pickaxe and a lantern, chipping away at a rock face. But in reality, it’s incredibly technical, data‑driven, engineering‑heavy, and on a massive scale. Jumbo drills, huge machinery, sophisticated modelling software… it’s a whole world people rarely get to see.
One of my favourite things about working in mining is the people. It’s a surprisingly small global industry, and wherever you go, you meet CSM graduates. Coming all the way to Mount Isa and still finding that shared CSM connection is pretty special. No matter the generation, if you studied at CSM, you’re instantly part of the club. You get welcomed at the pub, you swap stories, you make connections. It’s a community that really travels with you.
CSM has this brilliant motto: Laboris Gloria Ludi – The Glory of Work and Play. And honestly, that sums it up perfectly. You work hard, you play hard, and you grow into someone who’s ready to take on an industry full of opportunity.
Mining is so exciting. It powers every piece of technology we use, it’s global, well‑paid, full of adventure, and bursting with career paths. And CSM prepares you for all of it. I couldn’t recommend the degree, the campus, or the community enough.
