Arizona backs U of A with $850K to grow mining and minerals workforce
The School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources processing plant will provide industry-level training while supporting the state’s critical minerals supply chain.
With $850,000 from the Arizona Legislature, the School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources begins phase 1 of a major plan to boost the state’s mining education-to-workforce pipeline.
The Arizona State Legislature awarded the University of Arizona School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources $850,000 to build a modular, pilot-scale mineral processing facility intended to help strengthen the state's mining workforce.
The facility will sit adjacent to the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory, one of the most advanced experimental mines in the United States, providing access to a full suite of mining technology in one place.
“This funding takes an important step toward creating a unique teaching and research facility that supports Arizona’s needs and strengthens the U.S. supply chain for critical minerals,” said Kray Luxbacher, the Gregory H. and Lisa S. Boyce Leadership Chair of Mining and Geological Engineering and executive director of the school.
The pilot processing plant marks the first phase of MineWerx – a multimillion-dollar planned multisite facility that includes classrooms, interdisciplinary labs, an expanded training facility, surface and underground proving grounds and a mining-specific tech hub. The pilot plant facility will serve as a national hub for extractive metallurgy training and research.
Steve Trussell, executive director of the Arizona Rock Products Association and the Arizona Mining Association, said this investment reflects the confidence Arizona legislators have in the university’s plan to expand mine training.
“We are grateful to the Arizona State Legislature for their strong support of mining programs at the University of Arizona,” he said. “Their leadership helps ensure the university remains a national leader in workforce training and research, preparing the next generation of mining professionals and advancing solutions that keep our industry strong.”
Multi-use facility with many benefits
The pilot plant provides faculty, students and industry partners with a place to test methods for mineral recovery, including crushing and grinding rock and separating materials with heat, liquid or advanced sorting technology.
The versatile space for hands-on education enables faculty to rearrange equipment for different classes and experiments.
“Its modular design means we can switch processes and techniques as needed rather than being limited to fixed equipment. For students, the facility bridges the gap between theory and practice,” said Isabel Barton, assistant professor of mining and geological engineering. “Textbooks and videos can teach theory, but only a lab or pilot plant lets students grind rocks, run flotation tests, and measure results themselves.”
The facility will establish a pipeline of engineers and scientists ready to meet growing demands in minerals processing. The U.S. mining and natural resources industry averages 12,000 job openings a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
MineWerx aims to funnel students directly into these careers.
