The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Mine Safety and Health Administration has awarded more than $10.5 million in grants to organizations in 45 states, the Navajo Nation, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to reduce mining accidents, injuries, and illnesses by supporting programs such as safety and health courses.
“Restoring America’s global economic dominance starts with our hardworking miners, and it’s the Labor Department’s responsibility to help them accomplish this mission by keeping them safe on the job,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “The Trump Administration will continue doing everything we can to protect blue-collar workers and ensure they have the resources they need to thrive.”
“We are committed to working collaboratively with both mine operators and miners to provide secure working environments,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “By investing more than $10 million to promote safety, we will ensure every miner returns home to their families after their shifts.”
MSHA is awarding these grants to support the delivery of federally mandated training and re-training for miners at surface, underground coal, and metal and nonmetal mines, along with miners employed in shell dredging or surface stone, sand, and gravel-mining operations.
MSHA state grants are awarded in response to applications by states and territories. Funds are provided to state mine inspectors’ offices, state departments of labor and state-supported universities and colleges. Recipients tailor their training programs to address their area’s mining conditions and hazards miners may encounter.