US President Donald Trump is set to announce US$180 million ($254 million) in grants to expand mining education and workforce development as part of the administration’s push to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains, according to CBS News.
The funding package is expected to be unveiled at Friday’s critical minerals roundtable organised by the US State Department, where Trump will meet with mining industry leaders, university representatives, and senior government officials.
Executives from major miners including BHP (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) are expected to attend, alongside representatives from all 14 accredited US mining schools. Trump will be joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
According to CBS News, the Department of Energy will provide US$100 million to help expand the mining and critical minerals workforce by increasing the number of graduates in mining-related fields over the next two years. Universities, community colleges, trade schools, industry groups, and other organisations will be eligible to apply for the funding.
An additional US$80 million in funding will come from the US military and be allocated directly to three universities.
The Colorado School of Mines is expected to receive US$32.7 million to establish a technology development hub, while the South Dakota School of Mines will receive US$25 million for workforce development programmes. Johns Hopkins University is set to receive US$23.6 million to support a critical minerals recycling programme.
The funding forms part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic supply of minerals needed for defence, energy, and advanced technologies, as the US looks to reduce its reliance on China, which dominates the production and processing of these minerals.
Write to Jackson Chen at Mining.com.au
Image: The White House
