The Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) is making $10.5 million in grant funding available to help provide mine safety training for the nation’s miners.
MSHA will award the grants as part of its fiscal-year 2024 State Grants program, funding the delivery of federally mandated training and retraining for miners working at surface and underground coal and metal/nonmetal mines.
“The State Grants program is one way that MSHA can focus on protecting the health and safety of miners across the country,” says Chris Williamson, assistant secretary at MSHA. “That training needs to include educating miners about the hazards associated with silica and how they can exercise their rights to minimize their risks.”
State, tribal and territorial governments are eligible recipients in the MSHA’s State Grants program, according to the agency. MSHA may fund up to 80 percent of the program costs under a state grant, with the recipient required to provide at least 20 percent of the total program costs.
MSHA encourages state programs to use the grants to make training a priority for small mining operations and underserved mines and miners, including those employed at shell dredging and surface stone, sand and gravel operations. The agency also emphasizes training on miners’ statutory rights under the Mine Safety & Health Act.
Grant applications must be submitted by Aug. 20, with grants awarded on or before Sept. 30.
