A $2.5 million grant from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation will support the University of Arizona in developing K-12 programs that educate teachers and students about responsible mining and inspire students to pursue education and careers in the mining industry.
The grant will be shared by the U of A School of Mining and Mineral Resources, the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering and the Department of Geosciences Lowell Program in Economic Geology.
The grant provides scholarships for U of A mining students, enhancing access and attracting top-tier graduate students.
The university offers one of only 13 nationally accredited mining programs, playing a key role in sustainable mining education and preparing future professionals for a workforce focused on sustainable materials and innovation.
“We have experienced the challenges of a workforce shortage, as have several other industries, and we are committed to collaborating with partners like the University of Arizona to create innovative solutions to address the gap,” said Tracy Bame, president of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and director of social responsibility at Freeport-McMoRan.
“Our long-standing partnership with the U of A not only addresses our immediate workforce needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term success by helping middle and high school students to see pathways to a future in this critical and dynamic industry, including the attainment of a higher education degree or credential.”
The investment comes as the mining industry also adapts to the increasing demand for minerals crucial to green energy technologies and products such as cellphones, computers, medical devices and defense systems.
The new grant builds on the $2.5 million award in 2019 from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, which supported K-12 outreach, funded U of A student scholarships, modernized facilities for mining engineering, and expanded research capacity in the U of A Geotechnical Center of Excellence.