Tucson Standard

A $2.5 million grant from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation will support the University of Arizona in developing programs aimed at educating teachers and students about responsible mining. The initiative seeks to inspire students to pursue education and careers in the mining industry.

The funding will be shared among the U of A School of Mining and Mineral Resources, the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, and the Department of Geosciences Lowell Program in Economic Geology. It will provide scholarships for mining students at the university, enhancing access and attracting top-tier graduate students.

The University of Arizona offers one of only 13 nationally accredited mining programs, playing a key role in sustainable mining education and preparing future professionals for a workforce focused on sustainable materials and innovation.

"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," said Tracy Bame, president of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and director of social responsibility at Freeport-McMoRan. "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 highlighted Freeport's commitment to reaching underserved student populations to increase access to higher education and high-quality employment opportunities. Investing in education beyond high schools is deemed crucial 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 said.

This investment comes as the mining industry adapts to increased demand for minerals essential for green energy technologies such as cellphones, computers, medical devices, and defense systems.

"This generous gift from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation directly addresses the critical need for highly skilled engineers in the mining industry. As we push forward into a future where mineral resources are essential for everything from renewable energy to advanced technology, it's imperative that we prepare the next generation of engineers to meet these challenges," said David Hahn, Craig M. Berge dean of the College of Engineering. "This funding allows us to offer unparalleled opportunities for students, equipping them with technical skills and hands-on experience necessary to lead in an evolving industry."

The grant will also support K-12 outreach programs providing Southern Arizona students with opportunities to learn about mineral resources' importance. These initiatives aim to educate about modern mining advancements producing safe, sustainable resources.

"We need to better support educators in bringing Earth science and mining-related content into classrooms," said Carmala Garzione, dean of the College of Science. "This funding from Freeport-McMoRan will help us close that gap by providing resources for teachers to engage students in conversations about minerals' important role in modern society. By fostering this understanding, we can inspire future geoscientists and mining professionals."

This new grant builds on a 2019 $2.5 million award from Freeport-McMoRan Foundation that supported similar educational initiatives at U of A. It aims further enhance K-12 outreach while enabling leaders to analyze data, test methods, and refine strategies for increasing student pursuit of higher education in mining—a sector vital for energy transition toward a greener economy.

"The Freeport-McMoRan Foundation has generously supported mining education at U of A for years," said John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of University Arizona Foundation. "This new gift will help train next-generation leaders within an industry deeply significant historically ongoingly important economically."

Freeport-McMoRan's partnership with UofA spans nearly two decades; it has donated over $6 million since 2005 alone—continuing contributions dating back through Phelps Dodge acquisition history (2007) originally aiding Mines Metallurgy building construction (1940s). This latest donation underscores company commitment towards community support advancing educational pursuits related fields alike.

The $2.5 million grant forms part broader Fuel Wonder campaign—a $3 billion fundraising effort by university aiming ensure cohesive ecosystem every student transforming research across diverse domains including cancer engineering space sciences humanities among others involved therein alongside aforementioned endeavors too accordingly therein thusly henceforth etcetera et al et cetera...