Locals show off their mining skills during annual competition

OSBURN — The 30th Annual Coeur d’Alene District Mining Contest was held on Aug. 5, in Osburn and the competition was as fierce as it has ever been for the exciting event.

Events like hand mucking, spike driving, and 12B track mucking were available for all to compete in.

Both singles and team jackleg were available to compete in for men and hand mucking and spike driving were open to women and children.

In the men’s overall miner competition- Dennis Clark, Matt Karst, and Jeremie Figueroa finished as the top three respectively.

Josh and Ron Haynes took home the top honors in the team jackleg competition.

Casey Figueroa finished in first place in both women’s hand mucking and spike driving.

The event suffered this year due to a number of factors, but that didn’t stop it from being extremely competitive.

“Turnout was down considerably this year likely due to the heat, wildfire smoke, and the Lucky Friday strike,” organizer Guy Sande said. “That did not prevent those who did spectate and compete from having a great time as usual.”

This year’s event had some new competitors as well as new mine representation, which is something Sande hopes can be re-cultivated and grown over the next few years.

“We were very excited to hand out big prize money to some new names who hadn't competed before,” Sande said. “Bayhorse Silver Inc. revived an old tradition we hope continues by bringing Silver Valley miners from their project in Oregon to the contest where they frequently placed in the money.”

Sande was also pleased to present the $500 Lovon Fausett Memorial Scholarship to former Wallace High School graduate Justin Bayer, who is attending Montana Tech University in Butte, Mont.