S.Amdt. 3572

SA 3572 aims to add a new section to bill S. 2296 to create a program that provides technology grants to improve domestic mining education. The goal is to recruit and educate new mining engineers and professionals to help the United States meet its future mineral and energy needs.

Key Changes and Additions

• Grant Program: The Secretary of Energy, working with the Secretary of the Interior, will award up to 10 competitive grants per year to "mining schools."
• Funding: The amendment authorizes $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2033.
• Advisory Board: It establishes the Mining Professional Development Advisory Board, consisting of six members (three from the mining industry and three from academia). This board will evaluate applications, recommend grant amounts, and provide oversight.
• Use of Funds: Grants must be used to recruit students and support programs such as:
  • Critical mineral and rare earth element exploration and refining.
  • Reducing dependence on foreign mineral and energy supplies.
  • Developing technologies to reduce environmental and human impacts.
  • Reclamation and reprocessing of abandoned mine sites.
  • Improving mineral economics and supply chain analysis.
• Accountability: If the Secretary rejects a recommendation from the Board, they must provide a justification and publish that statement on the Department of Energy website.
• Repeal: The amendment repeals the Mining and Mineral Resources Institutes Act.