Students guide DOE officials on tour of San Xavier Mine
Discussions between university leadership and DOE’s Office of Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy highlight the college’s workforce efforts.
Kray Luxbacher, head of the School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources and Gregory H. and Lisa S. Boyce Leadership Chair of Mining and Geological Engineering, and Curt Coccodrilli, acting assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, tour the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory.
University of Arizona mining engineering seniors led federal officials on a tour of the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory on Oct.5, showcasing the School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources' hands-on approach to education and its expanding role in mining research and workforce development.
Curt Coccodrilli, acting assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy, joined industry and university leaders for the underground tour.
“You guys have one of the premier programs in the country and I am truly honored to be here,” he said. “We're very proud to work with schools like yours because you're listening to the students.”
Mining engineering seniors Amelia McLachlan, Dirk Patton, James Russell and Sam Bonaparte guided the visitors through the facility, where students gain practical experience managing and operating a working mine.
The visit followed the DOE's recent $20 million award to expand San Xavier with additional underground space, a microgrid and electronics. The mine is part of MiningWerx, a multisite research and training initiative where university researchers and industry partners can develop and test mining technologies above and below ground.
Kray Luxbacher, head of the School and Gregory H. and Lisa S. Boyce Leadership Chair of Mining and Geological Engineering, joined the tour alongside Nathalie Risso, assistant professor of mining and geological engineering.
Risso said the expansion will strengthen partnerships with industry and national laboratories while preparing students to work with emerging mining technologies.
“With the new testing facilities, we are going to be able to build, test and deploy solutions that we hope will enable safer, more productive mines in the U.S. and also a new generation of workers that is going to be ready to interact with these technologies,” Risso said.
Coccodrilli emphasized the importance of preparing future mining professionals to meet the nation's growing demand for critical minerals.
“You guys are the next generation … you're going to be what makes our country strong, especially now,” he told the students.