EMA Applauds Administration's $180 Million Investment in Mining Education, Workforce Development

Grants target university and trade programs to grow the critical minerals workforce

Arlington, Va., Aug. 7, 2026  — The Essential Minerals Association (EMA) today announced support for the Trump administration's announcement of more than $180 million in new federal funding to strengthen mining education and workforce training programs across the country, calling it a critical step toward securing America's supply of the minerals that power modern life.

The funding, unveiled Friday at a State Department roundtable with university leaders, includes a $100 million Department of Energy grant program designed to significantly increase the number of Americans earning degrees in mining and critical minerals fields over the next two years. An additional $80 million from the Department of Defense will support three universities directly: the Colorado School of Mines, the South Dakota School of Mines and Johns Hopkins University.

"You can't build a domestic minerals industry without the people to run it," said Chris Greissing, EMA president. "For years, our member companies have told us the same thing: the workforce pipeline is too thin. This investment goes straight at that problem — funding scholarships, trade programs and research hubs that will put skilled workers into mines, processing facilities and labs across the country. That's how you build real capacity, not just announce it."

The grants come as the administration works to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign sources — particularly China — for critical minerals like lithium, silicon, graphite and rare-earth elements, which are essential to semiconductors, aerospace systems, defense technology and everyday consumer products.

EMA has long advocated for federal investment in mining workforce development, noting that an aging workforce and a shortage of trained geologists, engineers, and technicians represent one of the biggest structural barriers to expanding U.S. mineral production. The association views today's announcement as a down payment on closing that gap.

"Minerals make modern life happen — from the phone in your pocket to the wind turbine in a farmer's field," Greissing said. "But none of it happens without skilled people. We're glad to see Washington treating workforce development as seriously as permitting and production."

EMA looks forward to working with the Department of Energy, participating universities and its member companies to ensure these programs translate into real jobs and real capacity for the American minerals industry.

The Essential Minerals Association (EMA) is a trade association representing industrial mineral producers in New York State and North America. EMA's membership includes producers of salt, anthracite, talc, bentonite, calcium carbonate, kaolin, silica, soda ash, zinc, and other critical minerals, as well as equipment manufacturers, transportation companies, and exploration-stage companies. For more information, visit essentialminerals.org.

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