Critical Mineral Mining Education Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill creates two new exchange programs to help the U.S. mining industry. One program sends American students to study mining in other countries. The other brings experts from abroad to help U.S. colleges build better mining classes and research projects.
• This effort addresses a serious shortage of workers. About half of the people currently working in U.S. mines are expected to retire within five years. Today, only 14 colleges in the country offer degrees in mining engineering.
• The program focuses on critical minerals like copper and gold. These materials are essential for making electronics and energy technology. The government wants to make sure the U.S. has enough skilled people to produce these minerals at home.
• Students who receive these scholarships must agree to work in the U.S. mining industry after they graduate. They can work for the government, a private company, or a university to help grow the domestic supply chain.
• The plan would provide $10 million in funding every year through 2035. It encourages partnerships with friendly countries that already have advanced mining industries to share the best ways to find and process minerals.

Impact Analysis

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