Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego support the bipartisan Mining Schools Act of 2025, introduced by Wyoming Senator John Barrasso. The bill would create a grant program to help universities recruit students for mineral production studies and address the declining mining workforce, according to the Office of the Arizona Senator.
A bill supported by Senator Kelly aims to attract workers to the mining sector and reduce U.S. reliance on other countries for critical minerals. It would fund educational institutions for research and demonstration projects in mineral production. Arizona, home to the University of Arizona—one of 14 mining schools in the U.S.—is a key part of this effort. "Arizona is leading the way in mining the materials that power our economy, from copper to critical minerals," Kelly said. "To keep that edge, we’re investing in the next generation of engineers, geologists, and skilled workers, and giving schools like the University of Arizona the tools to recruit more students, expand and strengthen our supply chains," he added, as reported by the Office of the Arizona Senator.
Senator Gallego stated, "Mining plays an important role both in Arizona’s economy and our country’s energy security. This bipartisan bill will help train the next generation of mining professionals, prepare students for good-paying jobs, and keep America competitive in mineral production." University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella said, "The Mining Schools Act would leverage university assets to drive advancements in critical mineral extraction and processing, national security, and economic prosperity while helping train the next generation of skilled workers." The Mining Schools Act of 2025, if passed, will establish the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board to evaluate applications, advise on grant recipients to the Secretary of Energy, and oversee fund use. More details, including the full text of the legislation, are available on the Office of the Arizona Senator website.
