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The serious business of mining can also be a lot of fun.Students studying mining engineering, geology and metallurgy joined together recently to represent UWA at the National Collegiate Mining Games at the University of Queensland - and came home victorious.

The games are held annually alongside the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy's New Leaders' Conference, to bring together young professionals to learn, network and develop their careers.

The Games originated in Idaho, UWA in 1978 to honour the 91 miners who died in the Sunshine Mine disaster of 1972. It is now an international event with students competing in games based on traditional mining techniques such as gold panning, air leg drilling and surveying.

Three UWA teams performed strongly, accumulating 11 trophies, narrowly beating 28 other teams to claim first place in both the men's and co-ed divisions.

Student Jennifer Kite was named champion female air legger.

It is the first time UWA has achieved such dominance at the game and next, the University, along with Curtin and Murdoch universities, will host the games in Perth for the first time.