The "Mining Schools Act of 2025" establishes a grant program to bolster mining education in the U.S. and repeals the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute Act of 1984.
Clarence "Burgess" Owens
Representative
UT-4
The "Mining Schools Act of 2025" establishes a grant program, overseen by the Secretary of Energy, to bolster mining education in the U.S. by supporting mining schools in recruiting students and improving their programs. A Mining Professional Development Advisory Board will be created to advise on grant distribution, and the Act also repeals the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute Act of 1984. The bill specifies that its implementation relies on already allocated funds.
Mining Schools Act Creates Grants Using Existing Funds, Replaces 1984 Research Act
The Mining Schools Act of 2025 sets up a new grant program under the Secretary of Energy, aiming to boost mining education across the United States. The goal is to train more mining engineers and professionals, particularly focusing on future energy and mineral needs. This involves awarding up to 10 grants annually to qualifying mining schools or Tribal Colleges or Universities offering mining programs.
New Grants for Future Miners
These grants aren't just blank checks; they come with specific instructions. According to Section 2, funds are earmarked for recruiting students and enhancing educational programs. This includes improving mineral extraction efficiency, finding critical minerals like rare earth elements, developing better land reclamation technology, creating reprocessing systems, and finding ways to lessen the environmental and human impacts of mining. Think of a university potentially using this grant to launch a specialized course on sustainable extraction methods for locally relevant minerals or to purchase new lab equipment for studying mine site remediation.
Funding Puzzle: No New Money, Old Program Gone
Here's a key detail: the bill explicitly states in Section 4 that "No additional funds authorized." This means the entire grant program must be paid for using money already allocated to the Department of Energy. It raises questions about which existing energy or research initiatives might see reduced funding to make room for these grants. Additionally, Section 3 repeals the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute Act of 1984. This removes a nearly 40-year-old framework that supported mining research institutes, potentially impacting institutions that relied on that structure for support.
Meet the Advisors: Industry and Academia Steer Grants
A new Mining Professional Development Advisory Board is established (Section 2) to guide the grant process. This six-member board, appointed by the Secretary of Energy, will have three members from the mining industry and three from academia with experience in mining education. Their job is to review grant applications, recommend who gets the money and how much, and keep an eye on how the funds are used. While the Secretary makes the final call on grants, they must consider the Board's advice and provide written justification if they decide to reject a recommendation.