MGE Students and Faculty Present Underground Mining Lab to Congress Members
Congressional staff witnessed the university's excellence in the areas of mining and critical minerals.
Members of the Congressional Western Caucus heard from students, University of Arizona leaders and industry partners about challenges facing the mining industry, and the UA research initiatives and training programs preparing future miners to address them.
The lawmakers, led by U.S. Rep Juan Ciscomani from Arizona's 6th Congressional District, visited the university's San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory on Feb. 9. The lab – located in Sahuarita, Arizona, about 15 miles south of Tucson and 50 miles north of the border – is the only student-run multilevel mine in the United States with a working vertical shaft, and includes a classroom and other educational resources.
After hearing remarks from President Robert C. Robbins, students and faculty members, the delegation donned hard hats and descended 150 feet into the university's San Xavier mine. The UA mining and geological engineering program, housed within the College of Engineering, is the only one in the state and one of only 14 in the nation. The program consistently ranks in the top five nationally and remains a research powerhouse.
“The school will transform approaches to sustainable mining, and work with communities and industry partners to develop innovative best practices for responsible production and sustained reuse of mineral resources. We were delighted to host the Congressional Western Caucus and discuss ways to advance these important goals,” said David W. Hahn, the Craig M. Berge Dean of the College of Engineering.
Read more about how MGE students are driving new domestic approaches to sustainability.