President Donald Trump announced more than $180 million in grants Friday during a State Department roundtable aimed at expanding the U.S. mining workforce, strengthening critical mineral production and supporting university-based technology and recycling programs.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump traveled to the U.S. State Department on Friday to host a roundtable focused on expanding American mining and critical mineral production, announcing more than $180 million in grants for education, workforce development, technology and recycling programs tied to the industry.
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The event brought Trump together with mining executives, university leaders and senior members of his administration as the White House seeks to increase the domestic workforce available for mining and critical minerals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick were among the cabinet officials scheduled to participate, while educational leaders included representatives from institutions such as the Colorado School of Mines.
A major portion of the funding will come through the Department of Energy, which is launching a $100 million grant program intended to expand the mining and critical minerals workforce. The initiative is designed to substantially increase the number of people earning degrees and receiving training in those fields over the next two years, with funding expected to support scholarships and other educational programs.
Universities, community colleges, trade schools, industry organizations and other partners will be eligible to apply for the Department of Energy funding. The effort is intended to build a larger pipeline of workers trained for industries involved in extracting, processing and supporting critical minerals and other mining operations.
The military is providing more than $80 million in additional funding to three universities for separate mining-related initiatives. The Colorado School of Mines is expected to receive $32.7 million to establish a technology development hub, while the South Dakota School of Mines is slated to receive $25 million for workforce development programs. Johns Hopkins University is expected to receive another $23.6 million for a program focused on recycling.
Together, the investments bring the announced federal support to more than $180 million and are aimed at strengthening both the educational infrastructure and technical capabilities surrounding U.S. mineral production. The funding also reflects an effort to connect universities and technical institutions more directly with industries seeking workers and technologies needed to expand domestic mining capacity.
The State Department roundtable began at 3 p.m. Eastern time. Trump’s participation and the full American mining roundtable can be watched here.
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