S. 1130: Technology Grants to Strengthen Domestic Mining Education Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Technology Grants to Strengthen Domestic Mining Education Act of 2025, proposes to enhance education related to the mining industry in the United States through the establishment of a grant program. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of the bill:

Purpose of the Bill

The primary goal of the bill is to strengthen domestic mining education to ensure there is a skilled workforce ready to meet future energy and mineral needs. This initiative is deemed vital for the development of the mining industry in the country.

Grant Program

The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, will:

• Establish a grant program specifically aimed at enhancing education in the mining field.
• Award competitive grants to mining schools in order to recruit and train future mining engineers and professionals.

Grant Details

Specifics regarding the grants include the following:

• The program will provide up to 10 grants each year to qualifying mining schools.
• Grant recipients will be selected based on geographic diversity, ensuring that various regional mining specialties can be developed.
• A consideration of recommendations from the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board will play a role in the selection process.
• Grants may only be awarded after the start of each fiscal year, and the allocation will take place within a specific timeline.

Use of Grant Funds

Institutions receiving grant funds must use them for:

• Recruiting students to their mining programs.
• Supporting initiatives related to mining technology, including:
• Enhancing mineral extraction efficiency.
• Focusing on critical minerals and rare earth elements.
• Developing reclamation technologies for mining operations.
• Improving methods for recycling and processing minerals to reduce environmental impacts.

Mining Professional Development Advisory Board

The bill creates a Mining Professional Development Advisory Board, which will consist of six members. The board is tasked with:

• Evaluating grant applications and recommending recipients to the Secretary.
• Proposing grant amounts for each selected recipient.
• Ensuring that the grant funds are used as intended for educational purposes.

Members will include individuals from both the mining profession and academia with experience in mining education and training.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes $10 million in appropriations for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2033 to support the initiatives outlined in the grant program.

Repeal of Existing Legislation

Additionally, the bill includes a provision to repeal the Mining and Mineral Resources Institutes Act, indicating a shift in how mining education is structured and funded.

Relevant Companies

• FCX (Freeport-McMoRan Inc.) - As a major player in the mining industry, this company might benefit from a larger pool of skilled workers entering the field due to enhanced mining education.
• NEM (Newmont Corporation) - This company could see positive impacts from improvements in mining efficiency and reclamation technologies supported by the grants.
• AEM (Agnico Eagle Mines Limited) - Enhanced mining education may lead to better-trained professionals in the industry, potentially benefiting companies like AEM through increased competitiveness and operational efficiency.