Grantees will use the funds to provide federally mandated training to miners. The grants cover training and retraining of miners working at surface and underground coal and metal and nonmetal mines.

States apply for the grants, which are administered by state mine inspectors' offices, state departments of labour or state-supported colleges and universities. Each recipient tailors the program to its state miners' individual needs and provides technical assistance.

The funds are the same amount as those provided in 2006.