U.S. has only 600 students enrolled in mining programs, compared to China’s 12,000 students
Legislation would support more mining schools like the Colorado School of Mines
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and John Barrasso introduced the bipartisan Mining Schools Act of 2025 to bolster America’s declining mining workforce and help secure our clean energy future. Specifically, the bill will support U.S. higher education institutions to grow their mining programs and prepare more students for mining and geological engineering jobs.
“We need to harness critical minerals to reach our clean energy future and the jobs that come with it. We can’t compete with China without investing in a skilled workforce. That starts at schools like Colorado School of Mines,” said Hickenlooper.
“America’s mining workforce fuels our energy independence from China, Russia, and other adversaries,” said Barrasso. “Support for our mining schools will help us maintain our energy dominance worldwide and secure access to the critical minerals and resources necessary for our economy and national security. This bipartisan legislation will ensure America’s mining workforce is strengthened for generations to come.”
Currently, there are only about 600 students in mining programs in the U.S. compared to China’s more than 12,000 students. Securing U.S. critical mineral supply chains and countering China’s dominance in the industry will require the U.S. to reinvest in our mining workforce.
“When it comes to the critical materials vital to advanced technologies and national security, perhaps our most valuable resource is the next generation of mining professionals,” said Dr. Copan, Vice President for Research & Technology Transfer at Colorado School of Mines. “Thank you to Senator Hickenlooper and Senator Barrasso for their bipartisan leadership on the Mining Schools Act and commitment to supporting the mining and minerals workforce equipped to responsibly manage Earth’s resources and solve complex engineering challenges.”
“Ramping up American mining is a national imperative to meet the skyrocketing demand and secure our minerals future. This requires a modern mining workforce, and this bill supports efforts to educate, train, attract and retain the talent the mining sector needs for the future. Mining requires everything from engineering to advanced data and analytical sciences—fields that require diverse and specialized training. We applaud reintroduction of the bipartisan Mining Schools Act by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and urge swift action to pass this important legislation into law,” Rich Nolan, president and CEO, National Mining Association
The Mining Schools Act of 2025 would:
- Establish a Department of Energy grant program for mining schools to receive funding to recruit students and carry out studies, research projects, or demonstration projects related to the production of minerals
- Authorize $10 million for the grants for each fiscal year 2026 through 2033
- Establish the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to evaluate applications and recommend recipients to the Secretary of Energy
Full text of the legislation available HERE.
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