U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum visits San Xavier Mine
Burgum joins University of Arizona leaders, Congressman Juan Ciscomani and mining industry executives to discuss the future of the nation’s critical mineral supply.
(From left) Mining engineering senior Kaitlyn Sutow talks to U of A President Suresh Garimella, Secretary Doug Burgum and Congressman Juan Ciscomani in the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory.
The School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources hosted U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Congressman Juan Ciscomani for a tour of the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory on April 6.
Kray Luxbacher, Gregory H. and Lisa S. Boyce Leadership Chair and executive director of SMEMR, took the officials underground to examine the mine’s workforce training capabilities and proving grounds.
San Xavier – one of four university-led mining laboratories in the country – is part of MiningWerx, a multi-site facility aimed at workforce development and meeting the growing demand for skilled mining professionals.
“The other major thing we have been doing in this area is working with major equipment manufacturers and tech companies,” Luxbacher said in a KOLD news segment covering the visit.
After the tour, officials and mining industry leaders gathered in the mine’s classroom for a roundtable discussion.
“We are in a major power battle with China on a number of fronts, but critical minerals is one of them,” said Burgum. “Our country has basically turned its back on mining.”
