Missouri S&T Joins $100 Million Federal Initiative to Boost Critical Minerals Workforce
Dustin Peterson, a 2023 mining engineering graduate, discusses his mine rescue research with Dr. Kwame Awuah-Offei, a professor at Missouri S&T, inside the Missouri S&T Experimental Mine.
Missouri S&T is among the universities participating in a new $100 million federal initiative aimed at strengthening the U.S. critical minerals workforce. The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the “Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies” initiative, which seeks to double the number of graduates in mining and related fields over the next two years. The funding will support scholarships, curriculum development, and other educational resources.
Chancellor Mohammad Dehghani emphasized Missouri S&T’s long history of educating engineers and scientists who have contributed to the nation’s mineral needs. The university plays a vital role in developing a workforce to strengthen America’s critical minerals supply chains. The Department of Energy estimates that the U.S. will need approximately 6,000 new engineers in the mining sector in the next decade.
Dr. Catherine Johnson, interim chair of mining and explosives engineering at Missouri S&T, highlighted the need for more professionals skilled in finding and processing essential minerals for national security.
Additionally, the university is part of a separate $25 million proposal focused on workforce development announced by the Department of War. Missouri S&T has a longstanding history in mining, dating back to its founding in 1870. The university is recognized for significant contributions to the industry, including advancements in copper mining and the discovery of potash deposits vital for agriculture.
With its federally designated Tech Hub, Missouri S&T was awarded $38 million to enhance domestic critical minerals supply chains, including funding for a new pilot-scale processing and recycling test bed on campus.
For more information about Missouri S&T’s work in critical minerals, visit criticalminerals.mst.edu.
About Missouri S&T
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university located in Rolla, Missouri, with over 7,000 students. It offers more than 100 degrees across 40 areas of study and is recognized as one of the top public universities for salary impact according to the Wall Street Journal. For more details, visit www.mst.edu.
