San Xavier Mine hosts U.S. Secretary of the Interior
(From left) Mining engineering senior Kaitlyn Sutow talks to U of A President Suresh Garimella, Secretary Doug Burgum and Congressman Juan Ciscomani in the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory.
Kray Luxbacher, Gregory H. and Lisa S. Boyce Leadership Chair and executive director of SMEMR, gave U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Congressman Juan Ciscomani a tour of the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory on April 6.
San Xavier is one of only four university-led mining laboratories in the U.S. The mine is part of MiningWerx, a multi-site facility aimed at workforce development and meeting the growing demand for skilled mining professionals. Post-tour, the officials participated in a roundtable discussion with mining industry leaders.
“We are in a major power battle with China on a number of fronts, but critical minerals is one of them,” said Burgum. “Our country has basically turned its back on mining.”