US$2.5mln grant for mining education outreach
The grant will support the University of Arizona, USA, in developing programmes for teachers and students about responsible mining to inspire careers in the sector.
The grant from Freeport-McMoRan Foundation will be shared by the School of Mining and Mineral Resources, the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, and the Department of Geosciences Lowell Programme in Economic Geology.
It will support K-12 outreach programmes that will provide Southern Arizona students with opportunities to learn about the importance of the mineral resources that shape daily life, where those minerals come from and modern mining's advancements in producing safe, sustainable resources for the planet's growing population.
The grant also provides scholarships for mining students at the University.
'We have experienced the challenges of a workforce shortage, as have several other industries, and we are committed to collaborating with partners like the University of Arizona to create innovative solutions to address the gap,' comments Tracy Bame, President of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and Director of Social Responsibility.
'Our long-standing partnership with the U of A not only addresses our immediate workforce needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term success by helping middle and high school students to see pathways to a future in this critical and dynamic industry, including the attainment of a higher education degree or credential.'
Bame says Freeport also is committed to reaching under-served student populations to increase access to higher education and the high-quality employment opportunities. Investing in education and training beyond high schools is critical for resilience and prosperity in Arizona.
'We know that supporting high-quality education is the strongest lever we have for meeting future workforce needs and increasing socioeconomic opportunity and mobility for everyone,' Bame adds.
This new grant builds on a 2019 US$2.5mln award from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, which supported K-12 outreach, funded U of A student scholarships, modernised facilities for mining engineering, and expanded research capacity in the University's Geotechnical Center of Excellence.
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