UTEP receives $7 million for mining engineering program
Update: UTEP announced a $7 million investment by Freeport-McMoRan. The money will help re-start the mining engineering degree program.
“Mining is a $10 billion-plus industry in Texas," said UTEP President Heather Wilson. "Energy that powers our electric system and aggregates that build our roads depend on mining. The smartphone in your pocket has about 30 elements in it including copper, gold, silver, lithium and cobalt as well as rare-earth elements that make the colors on the screen. America has a shortage of mining engineers who can find valuable minerals, get them out of the ground safely, and restore the land when mining is done. We are so thankful that Freeport-McMoRan has partnered with us to expand mining engineering for Texas and the nation by educating the next generation of mining engineers.”
Freeport-McMoRan is a major producer of copper and gold headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona that has recruited UTEP graduates for years, according to a university spokesperson.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- UTEP President Heather Wilson, Texas State Senator César Blanco and other school officials are set to make an announcement "that will have a transformative impact on the University’s forthcoming mining engineering program," according to a news release.
The announcement will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The school announced the return of the Mining Engineering program in September 2024. It's scheduled to return in Fall 2027.
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