U of A helps fill Arizona mining demand

The University of Arizona is leading the trend to answer the state's growing mining demands. A new article in the Arizona Daily Star detailed a worker shortage and the local programs helping to alleviate it. 

Arizona's mining industry is estimated to have a job growth of 15% from 2020 and 2030, according to the Department of Labor.

“There is an acute shortage of mining professionals in Arizona and globally. Over half the current US mining workforce is projected to retire by 2030," said Jodi Banta, program manager of the U of A School of Mining & Mineral Resources. 

"All 14 accredited mining engineering programs in the United States combined produce fewer than 200 graduates per year.”

While U of A is ranked as one of the top mining schools in the nation, it also focuses on K-12 education to help inspire younger students to enter the industry. 

“An obstacle is some of the negative misconceptions of mining that exist from eras gone by, but the industry has done an amazing job of addressing concerns about water and air pollution and workers’ rights,” said former high school science teacher Dan Moreno.