S.Amdt. 6695

SA 6695 is an amendment intended to be added to bill S. 4784. Its purpose is to create a program that provides technology grants to improve education for the domestic mining industry.

The amendment aims to add the following to the bill:

• Domestic Mining Education Strengthening Program: This program is led by the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior. It awards up to 10 competitive grants each year to mining schools to recruit and educate mining engineers and other professionals to meet the energy and mineral needs of the United States.

• Grant Requirements and Use: The Secretary must aim for geographic diversity among recipients. Grant funds must be used to recruit students and support programs focused on areas such as:

  • Critical mineral and rare earth element exploration and refining.
  • Methods to reduce environmental and human impacts.
  • Reducing dependence on foreign energy and mineral supplies.
  • Reclamation technology and practices.
  • Mineral economics and supply chain analysis.

• Mining Professional Development Advisory Board: A 6-member board consisting of three industry professionals and three academic experts. This board evaluates grant applications, recommends recipients and grant amounts, and provides oversight. If the Secretary rejects a board recommendation, they must provide a justification and publish it on the Department of Energy website.

• Funding and Repeal: The amendment authorizes $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2034. Additionally, it repeals the Mining and Mineral Resources Institutes Act.