Mining and Education: A Winning Combination

The minerals mining industry takes its commitment to being a good neighbor seriously, and part of that commitment is supporting and encouraging education. This week, Teacher Appreciation Week, we are celebrating the value of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and the ways in which investments in STEM education helps keep American mining at the forefront of scientific development and technological advancement.

U.S. mining is a good neighbor. It supports communities through contributions to educational initiatives and local charities across the country. For example, earlier this year, the mining sector offered high school students the opportunity to earn high school and college credit and even paid summer internships in Alaska.  In addition, NMA member company Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold has provided $11 million in STEM education programs to benefit the generations to come, as well as ensure the next generation of well-trained mining engineering candidates. A portion of these funds have been donated to a multi-sector effort called 100Kin10, which will deploy and support 100,000 excellent STEM teachers in the United States by 2021.

Between community investment and industry leadership, U.S. minerals mining makes it a priority to support educational expansion and development as we prepare a new generation of mining innovators.