Mining Schools Act of 2023 makes its way to House of Representatives

In March 2023, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced S.912, known as the Mining Schools Act of 2023, with Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee chairman Joe Manchin (I-WV). Over a year later, on July 10, 2024, the bill has made its way to the House of Representatives after passing through the Senate. “I applaud the Senate for passing my bipartisan legislation to provide federal assistance to mining programs at public colleges and universities,” said Sen. Barrasso. “It’s high time we support and honor the men and women who devote their lives to providing the minerals that we need for our economy and national defense.” To those in and outside of the mining industry, the bill’s move from the Senate to the House could be a beacon of hope. With workforce numbers slowly declining despite the growing demand for minerals, a shift in industry approach seems crucial. Grant program of $10 million annually, 2024-2031, to support mining education The bill aims to boost mining school’s ability to train and recruit individuals, as well as support studies, research projects and demonstration projects to shape the nation’s future generation of mining experts. To do so, it will establish a grant program for mining schools at four-year public institutions of higher education, authorizing $10 million for each fiscal year from 2024 to 2031. In addition, it will institute the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to evaluate applications, recommend recipients to the Secretary of Energy, and conduct oversight to ensure grant funds are appropriately used. “Having federal funding specifically for recruiting mining and related engineering students will get university recruiters actively promoting our industry and relieve some of the recruiting responsibilities that are loaded on the faculty and staff,” said Steven Schafrik, associate professor of mining engineering at the University of Kentucky. Universities with mining-centric programs have been struggling in recent years to attract enough young, bright minds to meet the growing demand for qualified industry workers. Without substantial assistance from the government, universities must determine ways to increase interest and enrollment all on their own. “The passage of the Mining Schools Act will enhance our recruiting efforts as it provides a specific point of reference to students and their parents, explaining why entering our programs is important to our country,” said Michael Moats, professor of metallurgical engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. With the massive push for renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, the need for certain minerals grows increasingly pressing. In order to meet the current rate of mineral use, the United States must devise methods to revitalize the mining workforce, and that starts at the educational level. “Our university’s mission is to provide research on technology and the development of students that will further our industry,” Schafrik said regarding the possible passage of the bill. “We would use this funding to develop next-generation technology, increase our industry engagement, and increase our recruitment so that the next generation of mining engineers will be able to operate the mines of the future.” More than half of workforce will be retiring by 2029 The industry workforce has been diminishing, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies reporting that roughly 221,000 mining workers, more than half of the current domestic workforce, will retire and need to be replaced by 2029. “This number stands in stark contrast to the total of just 327 degrees awarded in 2020 in mining and mineral engineering and a 39 percent net drop in graduates in the United States since 2016,” the center stated. According to figures from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), there has been an estimated 43 percent decrease in the number of graduates since 2015, with geological engineering programs dwindling to only 13 and metallurgical engineering at eight. Although these numbers highlight a steady decline in industry interest, the Mining Schools Act provides hope for its future. Reinvigorating the mining workforce “When parents and students decide on their majors, they consider what their careers will look like. If this bill becomes law, it signals that the United States considers the mining and minerals industries vital to the country’s success,” said Schafrik. Encouragement to join the industry appears to be a foothold that legislators and mining professionals are grasping to regain. Though crucial to the nation, societal awareness of the dwindling mining workforce is not reflected in industry numbers. However, if passed, this notion could change. “Our data indicate that students join the mining industry because someone told them about the opportunities and the importance of what we do,” said Moats. “The mining industry needs to continue grassroots activities to engage K-12 students locally through classroom visits, open houses and scholarships.” The need for a vital workforce arrives as the United States desires to disengage from outside resource reliance. In recent days, the nation has been shying away from leaning on Russia and China in order to obtain minerals and process them. Now, the United States seeks to grow a stronger home base. “The United States cannot afford to be dependent on China, Russia and other adversaries for minerals,” said Sen. Barrasso. “We need access to minerals on federal lands. We also need to reinvigorate America’s mining workforce.” The Mining Schools Act could create a massive shift toward this. With increased funding, the industry anticipates an uptick in both recruitment and training, attracting a steady stream of young mining experts. If passed, the United States could perhaps see a strong shift in the industry. With a heightened interest and incentive in pursuing a degree in this field, the future of mining education and the industry as a whole could change, for the better.

Mining Schools Act of 2023 makes its way to House of Representatives

Authored by: Carrie Smith

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To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

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