The Mining Schools Act that would establish a grant program for mining schools to receive funds in order to recruit students and carry out studies, research projects, or demonstration projects related to the production of minerals passed out of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee on Sept. 21 with a unanimous vote.

The Act will move on the House Committee on Natural Resources for a vote.

The Mining Schools Act would also establish the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to evaluate applications and recommend recipients to the Secretary of Energy, as well as conduct oversight to ensure that grant funds are appropriately used. This bill is a bipartisan effort with original cosponsor ENR chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV).

“By 2029, over half of the current mining workforce here at home will retire. In contrast, by 2040, total mineral demand is expected to double. So, we won’t have the workforce to tackle these challenges unless we continue to recruit and train the next generation of American workers. The mining schools are an essential part of that process,” said U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR).

The Mining Schools Act was passed along side the bipartisan Connect Our Parks Act (S.2018).
 

Photo: The Colorado School of Mines