Bruce Watzman, Vice President for Safety, Health and Human Resources at the National Mining Association (NMA), told members of a US Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources that imaginative new partnerships between government and industry will be necessary to help supply skilled workers to an industry transformed by technology and mechanization.

"Just as the demand for mining workers appears poised for expansion, the capability to provide new mining professions has significantly deteriorated through downsizing and disappearance of university degree and other programs offering this very specialized education," said Watzman. Since 1985, he said, ten mining departments in US academic institutions have ceased operation and two others are tentatively scheduled to close their doors later this year.

A lackluster economy and government policies that have curbed new mining investment have contributed to the problem, said Watzman. By limiting employment opportunities, both factors have discouraged prospective students from considering mining as a career. These difficulties have been exacerbated by the growing sophistication in mining equipment, operations and management that require, more than ever before, a highly skilled workforce in underground and surface mines.

Watzman urged Congress to broaden research for mining institutions that train the next generation of engineers, ensure that research funding is long-term as well as adequate to maintain academic programs, and finally acknowledge the strategic importance of a sustainable mining industry to the health of the U.S. manufacturing economy.

"The challenge now is to attract and retrain a skilled workforce appropriate to a resurgent industry," he said.

In Australia this same issue is high on the agenda of mining houses and industry bodies. See related articles.