Mining and minerals engineering takes national stage as White House pushes to grow talent pipeline

In an effort to boost domestic mining of critical minerals and rare earth elements that are essential to U.S. economic resilience, the White House announced new funding to increase the number of mining engineers — and Virginia Tech’s Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering will play a critical role.

On Aug. 7, federal leaders convened the nation's 14 accredited mining engineering programs and major mining companies for two events in Washington, D.C.: a meeting with the Department of Energy at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and a historic roundtable with President Donald Trump at the State Department. Representatives from Virginia Tech included President Tim Sands and Aaron Noble, head of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering, along with undergraduate seniors Ellie Ferguson and Sophia Gwaltney.

At the afternoon meeting, Noble participated in the roundtable and was seated near Trump as he announced that the Department of Energy is investing $100 million into mining education to double the number of graduates with mining, minerals, and associated supply chain credentials over the next few years. The announcement was part of a $2 billion investment in America’s mining industry that was made public on Friday.

“Mining education and critical minerals research, long strengths at Virginia Tech, are increasingly important to national security,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. “We are committed to answering this challenge, both for Virginia’s economic vitality and to help secure the nation’s future. We welcome today’s announcement of a coordinated national approach to increasing student demand and investing in faculty talent in critical minerals production."

Investing in a more secure domestic supply chain for critical minerals 

The major investment was described at the events as critical to national defense. Critical minerals and rare earth elements are vital for manufacturing the modern technologies that power energy infrastructure, defense systems, automobiles, and consumer electronics like laptops and smartphones.

“They’re essential ingredients for our modern lives,” said Noble, the Charles T. Holland Professor of Mining and Minerals Engineering.

Yet nearly 80 percent of the critical minerals required by the U.S. come from foreign countries. Even with limited capacity for developing, processing, manufacturing, and recycling these minerals, the U.S. Geological Survey reported in February that the nation’s nonfuel mineral production was worth $112 billion in 2025. While the federal government has become increasingly eager to ramp up domestic production and processing, the current talent pipeline doesn’t meet industry demand. 

The Department of Energy’s $100 million investment in mining education through the PROSPECT Program (Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies) aims to recruit more students and modernize critical minerals education with emerging technologies like automation, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, data science, systems engineering, and more. 

“I have long supported Virginia Tech’s role in developing the talent and technologies needed to accelerate the U.S. mining and minerals sector, which underpins our modern economy and national security systems,” said Congressman Morgan Griffith, a member of the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee. “The investments announced today are an important and necessary step toward creating more secure domestic supply chains, supporting high-quality jobs, and increasing America’s manufacturing competitiveness.”

Virginia Tech is uniquely prepared to meet that call. Ranked third in the United States and 14th globally by QS for mining engineering, the university is already at the vanguard of research and workforce development. The Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering is known for its pioneering critical minerals research; robust industry partnerships; unmatched student support with exceptional internship and job placement rates; and a modern curriculum that approaches mining as a tech-driven, environmentally conscious discipline vital to everyday life.

Boosting the mining talent pipeline

The shortage of talent in mining stems from gaps in awareness, belonging, and accessibility. Many prospective students don’t know educational pathways in mining and mineral processing exist. 

“There is often a fundamental misunderstanding of what modern mining is,” said Noble. “People still think of outdated industrial models, but today’s mining engineering is high-tech, sustainable, and vital to modern technology. I am thrilled by this investment. We have a generational opportunity to change the perception of our field and our program.”

Gwaltney, one of the mining engineering seniors who joined Sands and Noble in D.C., agreed that many students have misconceptions about mining engineering.

“When I tell friends what I’m studying, usually someone starts miming a pickaxe,” she said. “They have a very specific mental image of what mining looks like. We need more professionals to help make the industry safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly.”

As a first-year student at Virginia Tech, Ferguson learned about mining and minerals engineering through her First-Year Experience course, then chose the major after conversations with faculty and grad students and a tour of Holden Hall with Noble — an experience she spoke about at Friday’s meeting at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. 

Now entering her senior year, Ferguson plans to stay at Virginia Tech to complete an accelerated master’s degree.

“Our curriculum is very closely tied to industry,” she said. “We take multiple field trips each semester to visit mines or equipment manufacturers. I’ve also done undergraduate research in two different labs, and I’ve had two internships, both of which I’ve gotten through our career fair.”

All were thrilled to see mining engineering get national attention.

"I was truly honored to represent Virginia Tech at this historic event," Noble said.