GOLDEN, Colo., Dec. 17 – The Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held its first-ever legislative field hearing in a mine Dec. 14 regarding H.R. 3734, the “Mining Schools Enhancement Act,” at the Colorado School of Mines Edgar Mine in Idaho Springs.
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| Photo Credit: House Committee on Natural Resources |
“This bill is so important for mining engineering education in the United States, and we are very proud that the Edgar Mine was chosen as the place to hold the field hearing,” said Priscilla Nelson, head of the Mining Engineering Department at Mines. “The Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources of the House Committee on Natural Resources is working hard to address issues associated with mine closure, sustainability, and the future of the mining industry workforce, and each of these is also of high priority for our programs at Mines.”
The bill, introduced by Rep. Cresent Hardy (R-NV), in combination with H.R. 3843 (Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), the “Locatable Minerals Claim Location and Maintenance Fees Act,” and H.R. 3844 (Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA)), the “Energy and Minerals Reclamation Foundation Establishment Act,” comprise a larger mining development and reclamation bipartisan reform package.
The proposed legislation will help address the more than 400,000 abandoned mines across the Western U.S. as well as the need for well-educated mining engineers as the majority of the U.S. mining industry’s technical leaders approach retirement age.
Four members of Congress, including Hardy, Lamborn, Bishop and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), were in attendance during the hearing.
The event was covered by the Associated Press and other Colorado media outlets.
Contact:
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3541 | kgilbert@mines.edu
Kathleen Morton, Digital Media and Communications Manager, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3088 | kmorton@mines.edu
