TOWN OF MIAMI, AZ MINING
EXPO
2025
HISTORIC MINING COMPETITIONS
Sawing Competition-
Sawing is a fundamental skill for miners due to its direct impact on the efficiency and safety of mining operations. Miners often work in confined spaces, and sawing skills are essential for cutting and shaping materials, such as rock, wood, and metal, to fit specific dimensions and angles. This precision is crucial for tasks like drilling, blasting, and constructing mine structures. Additionally, sawing techniques contribute to the overall quality of work, ensuring that materials are cut accurately and safely, which is vital for preventing accidents and maintaining operational safety.​
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MINING COMPETITIONS 2025
Are you ready to show us your mining skills!
Join us for the 1st Annual Mining Competitions at the Town of Miami Mining Expo.
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There are six competitions:
- Backhoe Rodeo
- Sawing
- Spike Driving
- Mucking
- Jackleg
- Bordello Bed Races
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You can compete in an individual competition for a chance to win $300 per event!
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Entry Fees:
Backhoe Rodeo- $40.00 (Individual)
Sawing- $20.00 (Individual)
Spike Driving- $20.00 (Individual)
Mucking- $20.00 Per Team (2)
Jackleg- $20.00 (Individual)
Bordello Bed Races- $20.00 Per Team (6)
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Preregistration will start 9/08/2025 the forms will be available at Miami Town Hall and on this website on the more tab.
Registration will be available on the day of the event up to 30 minutes before each event.
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Prior to starting events there will be a mandatory safety meeting.
(We will be providing some personal protective equipment)
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*All participants must wear steel toe boots and jeans, sign a liability waiver, and have to have experience*
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Spike Driving Competition-
Spike Driving is a fundamental skill for miners in the early 1900s. They used the "single jack" technique to drill holes in the solid rock by hitting a spike with a hammer into the rock, giving it a quarter turn and then hitting it again. The turn kept it from getting stuck in the rock. The Single Jack refers to 1 miner, if there were 2 miners it was called the "double jack". The Double Jack was 2 miners, one to hold and turn the spike while the other used a sludge hammer to hit the spike. This helped the time efficacy in the mine. ​
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Mucking Competition-
Mucking is a critical process in mining that involves the removal of broken ore and waste from mine headings for transportation to the surface or for internal relocation to remuck bays. It is essential for maintaining safety, efficiency, and environmental protection in mining operations.​
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Jackleg Competition-
Jacklegs are pneumatic rock drills that are attached to telescoping legs, which push the drill for the operator. The drill is relatively light weight requiring only one person to operate, this feature and their ability to drill in all directions allowed them to replace drifters. Introduced in Arizona during the late 1950’s these quickly became the dominant machine in use underground. The very early type of jacklegs developed in the late 1940’s were pluggers with an air cylinder clamped to them. ​
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