State grant funds available from MSHA

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 funding as part of its 2023 state grants program to support the delivery of federally mandated training and retraining for miners working at surface and underground coal and metal/nonmetal mines. State, tribal and territorial governments are eligible recipients in the agency’s program. 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 grants to make training a priority for small mining operations and underserved mines and miners, including miners employed in shell dredging and surface stone, sand and gravel mines. MSHA also emphasizes training on miners’ statutory rights under the Mine Safety & Health Act.

The agency says grant applications must be submitted by June 12. Grants will be awarded on or before Sept. 30.