Representative Juan Ciscomani (D-AZ) is celebrating the Department of Energy's (DOE) $20 million investment in the University of Arizona's School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources.
The Context
Last week, the DOE put up $20 million to help the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory add underground space, electronics, and a microgrid.
The investment is part of President Donald Trump's Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies (PROSPECT) initiative, a $100 million mining education investment launched in August.
The United States graduates only 200 mining engineers annually, compared to approximately 3,000 to 10,000 in China.
Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) praised the plan, saying, "The United States cannot afford to continue losing ground to China, especially in areas so critical to our defense systems, semiconductor supply chains, and infrastructure. Strengthening our mining engineering workforce is essential to protecting America's national security and securing the future for the next generation."
What Ciscomani is Saying
"This $20 million investment is a gamechanger for Arizona," said Rep. Ciscomani in a press release, adding, "The Department of Energy and Interior has been a tremendous partner in recognizing Southern Arizona's role in leading the resurgence of domestic mining.
Rep. Ciscomani emphasized, "As one of Arizona's Five C's, copper is a cornerstone of our state’s economy, and the University of Arizona is leading the way in preparing the next generation of workers and advancing the technology we need to strengthen America's critical mineral supply chain. This investment will help create opportunities for hundreds of high-paying jobs, strengthen our workforce, and keep Arizona at the forefront of domestic mining."
Similar Efforts in the Past
Last March, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) backed the bipartisan Mining Schools Act, which establishes a grant program for mining schools at colleges and universities, such as the University of Arizona, one of the 14 institutions in the country to offer mining engineering degrees, to boost recruitment, research projects, and demonstrations of mineral production.
