,i #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gjba ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #ab1 #bjbf,mr4 ,olszewski 7for himself1 ,mrs4 ,kim1 ,mr4 ,bera1 and ,mr4 ,huizenga7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to establish a new educational exchange program to strengthen domestic mining education1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,critical ,mineral ,mining ,education ,act of #bjbf4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the ,united ,states mining industry and1 more broadly1 mining and mineral processing and refining1 is widely reported as facing a significant personnel shortage4 ,this shortage is driven by an aging workforce1 declining numbers of graduates entering mining careers1 and difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled workers4 ,fifty percent of the current mining workforce is expected to retire within the next #e years4 ,in #bjbc1 only #ad ,united ,states universities and colleges had mining and mining engineer programs4 ,downstream segments1 such as ore processing1 refining1 and metallurgy1 are affected by the same workforce trends4 ,institutions and personnel from allied countries with mining expertise can share their knowledge and experience with the ,united ,states workforce through education exchange programs4 #c4 ,definitions ,the ,mutual ,educational and ,cultural ,exchange ,act of #aifa 7,public ,law #hg-bef2 #bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bdea et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #aja the following3 #aja;,a4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,advanced degree ,the term advanced degree means a degree from an institution of higher education that is a master's or doctoral degree4 7#b7 ,critical mineral ,the term critical mineral-- 7,a7 has the meaning given such term in section #gjjb7;a77#c7 of the ,energy ,act of #bjbj 7division ,z of ,public ,law #aaf-bfj2 #cj ,u4,s4,c4 #afjf7;a77#c772 and 7,b7 includes gold1 and copper1 and any other mineral or mineral material the ,secretary of ,state determines-- 7i7 to be essential to the economic or national security of the ,united ,states2 and 7ii7 has a supply chain vulnerable to disruption4 7#c7 ,excess foreign currencies ,the term excess foreign currencies means foreign currencies1 which1 if acquired by the ,united ,states-- 7,a7 would be in excess of the normal requirements of departments1 agencies1 and embassies of the ,united ,states for such currencies1 as determined by the ,president2 and 7,b7 would be available for the use of the ,united ,states ,government under applicable agreements with the foreign country concerned4 7#d7 ,federal employee ,the term ,federal employee-- 7,a7 means any employee described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,f7 of section #gcdb7;a77#a7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,b7 does not include a person described in subparagraph 7,g7 of such section4 7#e7 ,government-sponsored international exchanges and training ,the term ,government-sponsored international exchanges and training means the movement of people between countries1 financed wholly or in part with ,united ,states ,government funds-- 7,a7 to promote the sharing of ideas2 7,b7 to develop skills2 and 7,c7 to foster mutual understanding and cooperation4 7#f7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7774 7#g7 ,historically black college and university ,the term historically ,black college and university has the meaning given the term part ,b institution in section #cbb7b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa7b774 7#h7 ,mining education program ,the term ,mining ,education ,program means an academic program related to the mining industry4 7#i7 ,mining industry ,the term mining industry means the mining industry of the ,united ,states1 which consists of activities related to naturally occurring metal and nonmetal critical minerals1 including-- 7,a7 geological mapping1 geophysical surveying1 geochemical sampling1 and management of geological data2 7,b7 mineral system analysis1 exploration1 and resource delineation1 including exploratory drilling and resource estimation and classification2 7,c7 project development1 feasibility studies1 financing1 and permitting2 7,d7 mine construction1 extraction1 and operational support activities2 7,e7 mineral processing1 beneficiation1 smelting1 refining1 chemical conversion1 and separation2 7,f7 material conversion and advanced materials manufacturing2 7,g7 transportation1 logistics1 and handling of intermediate and finished material products2 and 7,h7 reclamation1 remediation1 reuse1 recycling1 and recovery of materials from primary and secondary sources1 including mine waste and end-of-life products4 7#aj7 ,mining profession ,the term mining profession means the body of jobs directly related to the mining industry4 7#aa7 ,minority serving institution ,the term minority-serving institution means an eligible institution under section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a774 4 #d4 ,critical ,mineral ,mining ,fellowship ,program ,the ,mutual ,educational and ,cultural ,exchange ,act of #aifa1 as amended by section #c1 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 #aaf4 ,critical ,mineral ,mining ,fellowship ,program 7a7 ,establishment ,there is authorized to be established the ,critical ,mineral ,mining ,fellowship ,program 7referred to in this section as the ,fellowship ,program7 within the ,j4 ,william ,fulbright ,educational ,exchange ,program4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,fellowship ,program are-- 7#a7 to advance foreign policy priorities of the ,united ,states by promoting studies1 research1 and international exchange in the mining industry2 7#b7 to send ,united ,states students to mining institutions abroad to build the capacity of the ,united ,states mining workforce2 7#c7 to develop a robust and skilled workforce that can support and fill the gaps of the ,united ,states' growing domestic critical mineral supply chain2 and 7#d7 to reduce dependency on foreign energy and critical mineral supplies and enhance competitiveness of the ,united ,states within the global critical mineral marketplace4 7c7 ,administration ,the ,bureau of ,education and ,cultural ,affairs of the ,department of ,state 7referred to in this section as the ,bureau7 shall administer the ,fellowship ,program in accordance with policy guidelines established by the ,fulbright ,foreign ,scholarship ,board 7referred to in this section as the ,board71 in consultation with binational ,fulbright ,commissions1 mining industry leaders1 institutions of higher education1 foreign governments1 and ,united ,states embassies in eligible countries4 7d7 ,selection of fellows 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,bureau shall determine the number of fellows selected for the ,fellowship ,program each year4 ,the ,board shall select qualified individuals to participate in the ,fellowship ,program4 ,in selecting the fellows1 the ,board should ensure geographic representation to ensure region-specific specialties are developed4 7#b7 ,criteria ,all fellows shall meet one of the following criteria3 7,a7 ,have a conferred bachelors degree1 or equivalent degree1 before the start of the ,fellowship period4 7,b7 ,be a student who is currently enrolled in a ,united ,states institution of higher education completing an advanced degree in the field of science1 technology1 engineering1 or mathematics or a field related to the mining industry4 7,c7 ,have had a conferred postdoctoral degree during the #e-year period immediately preceding the ,fellowship period4 7#c7 ,required intent ,upon completing the ,fellowship ,program1 each fellow shall demonstrate their intent to seek employment in a mining profession that directly benefits the growth1 progress1 and development of the ,united ,states mining industry-- 7,a7 in the ,united ,states ,government2 or 7,b7 at a ,united ,states-based nongovernmental organization1 academic institution1 private sector company1 or other organization that has been approved by the ,bureau4 7#d7 ,eligible universities ,united ,states students shall attend universities approved by the ,bureau1 in consultation with the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 that have a mining program and are located in a foreign country4 ,to the extent practicable1 the ,bureau should prioritize enrollment in higher education mining programs in-- 7,a7 member countries in the ,minerals ,security ,partnership2 or 7,b7 any additional countries identified by the ,bureau1 in consultation with the congressional committees referred to in this paragraph1 as containing sufficiently qualified mining programs 4 7#e7 ,outreach ,to the extent practicable1 the ,bureau shall conduct outreach at ,united ,states undergraduate and graduate higher education institutions the ,bureau determines are likely to produce a range of qualified applicants to be sent abroad4 7e7 ,structure 7#a7 ,work plan ,to carry out the purposes described in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 each fellow selected pursuant to subsection 7d77#a7 shall be encouraged to arrange placement in a mining education program at an eligible foreign university2 7,b7 each fellow shall-- 7i7 participate in advanced coursework1 research projects1 and practical training opportunities1 including internships1 offered by the host institution2 7ii7 engage with faculty advisors and industry partners to gain hands-on experience through internships1 laboratory work1 and field studies relevant to the mining industry2 7iii7 serve as a cultural and academic ambassador of the ,united ,states by fostering mutual understanding within the host country's academic and professional mining community2 7iv7 participate in professional development activities1 such as conferences1 workshops1 and seminars1 to expand knowledge of global best practices in mining engineering and related fields2 and 7v7 build and strengthen networks with international peers1 faculty1 and industry professionals to facilitate ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange2 and 7,c7 the ,bureau shall1 for each fellow1 approve a work plan that identifies the target objectives for the fellow1 including specific duties and responsibilities relating to such objectives4 7#b7 ,fellowship period 7,a7 ,in general ,each fellowship under this section shall continue for a period determined by the ,bureau1 which1 whenever feasible1 shall not be shorter than #a year4 7,b7 ,renewal ,the ,bureau may grant a renewal for a second year1 in consultation with the relevant ,united ,states embassy or the ,fulbright ,commission4 7f7 ,fellowship award ,the ,bureau shall provide each fellow under this section with an allowance equal to the amount needed for the fellow's reasonable costs during the fellowship period1 including-- 7#a7 mandatory university fees1 including tuition1 associated with his or her studies2 7#b7 living expenses1 including housing1 basic food costs1 and daily transportation2 7#c7 essential textbooks and other academic materials2 7#d7 mandatory visa application1 immigration fees1 and other essential pre-departure requirements2 7#e7 relocation expenses1 including travel by air or by rail2 7#f7 a research allowance1 including essential travel to field sites and laboratory work2 and 7#g7 other reasonable costs approved by the ,bureau4 7g7 ,annual reports ,not later than #a year after the completion of the ,fellowship ,program by the initial cohort of fellows selected pursuant to subsection 7d71 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives that includes information regarding the implementation of the ,fellowship ,program1 including-- 7#a7 the demographics and geographical origins of the cohort of fellows who completed a fellowship during the reporting period2 7#b7 a description of academic placements selected and their relation to the development of the ,united ,states region-specific specialties under the ,fellowship ,program1 including participant feedback on program implementation and lessons learned2 and 7#c7 a plan for factoring lessons learned and acquired skills based knowledge into future programming4 4 #e4 ,visiting ,mining ,scholars ,program ,the ,mutual ,educational and ,cultural ,exchange ,act of #aifa1 as amended by sections #c and #d1 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 #aag4 ,visiting ,mining ,scholars ,program 7a7 ,establishment ,there is authorized to be established the ,visiting ,mining ,scholars ,program 7referred to in this section as the ,visiting ,scholars ,program7 within the ,j4 ,william ,fulbright ,educational ,exchange ,program4 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of the ,visiting ,scholars ,program is to bring mining academics and professionals to the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to build and expand ,united ,states mining education programs at higher education institutions2 7#b7 to bolster workforce development programs2 and 7#c7 to advance research and development initiatives in the mining industry and adjacent fields4 7c7 ,administration ,the ,bureau of ,educational and ,cultural ,affairs of the ,department of ,state 7referred to in this section as the ,bureau7 shall administer the ,visiting ,scholars ,program in accordance with policy guidelines established by the ,fulbright ,foreign ,scholarship ,board 7referred to in this section as the ,board71 in consultation with binational ,fulbright ,commissions1 mining industry leaders1 higher education institutions1 foreign governments1 and ,united ,states embassies in eligible countries4 7d7 ,selection of ,visiting ,mining ,scholars 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,board shall select qualified individuals to participate in the ,visiting ,scholars ,program1 who shall be foreign nationals-- 7,a7 currently employed as mining professionals1 practitioners1 or operators outside of the ,united ,states2 or 7,b7 currently employed as academics working at institutions of higher education in foreign countries with mining education programs1 as approved by a ,fulbright ,commission or ,united ,states embassy1 in consultation with the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,number of ,fellows ,the ,bureau shall determine the number of fellows selected each year1 which1 whenever feasible1 shall be not fewer than #aj4 7#c7 ,critereia ,visiting mining scholars shall be foreign nationals-- 7,a7 of a country in which an existing ,fulbright ,foreign ,student ,program operates2 and 7,b7 of a country that has expertise1 specialized knowledge1 or engages in practices that could benefit the ,united ,states mining industry4 7#d7 ,preferred ,countries ,to the extent practicable1 the ,board should prioritize selection of visiting mining scholars who live or work in-- 7,a7 a member country in the ,minerals ,security ,partnership2 or 7,b7 any additional country identified by the ,bureau1 in consultation with the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 as containing individuals who have academic expertise1 specialized knowledge1 or engage in practices that could benefit the ,united ,states mining industry4 7#e7 ,outreach ,to the extent practicable1 the ,bureau shall conduct outreach in coordination with appropriate ,united ,states embassies1 mining industry leaders1 and mining institutions abroad that are likely to produce a range of qualified applicants to come to the ,united ,states4 7e7 ,structure 7#a7 ,work plan ,to carry out the purposes described in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 each individual selected pursuant to subsection 7d77#a71 and who is coming to the ,united ,states as a visiting mining scholar-- 7i7 shall arrange placement in a ,united ,states academic institution approved by the ,bureau2 and 7ii7 should-- 7,i7 consult with faculty members to provide technical assistance on how to develop or expand a mining education program at the host institution of higher education2 7,,ii7 assist in the development and review of mining education curricula1 including course syllabi1 laboratory modules1 and fieldwork components2 7,,iii7 participate in collaborative research projects with faculty1 students1 and third-party research institutions focusing on innovative mining technologies1 sustainable mining practices1 and resource management2 7,,iv7 facilitate partnerships between the host institution and mining organizations1 government agencies1 and other institutions to foster academic exchange1 research collaboration1 and workforce development2 7,v7 mentor undergraduate and graduate students interested in mining education1 offering guidance on academic projects and career development2 and 7,,vi7 contribute to the development of outreach programs aimed at increasing awareness of the mining industry as a career path and to increase awareness of the types of mining professions available2 and 7,b7 the ,bureau shall1 for each scholar1 approve a work plan that identifies the target objectives for the scholar1 including specific duties and responsibilities relating to such objectives4 7#b7 ,eligible united states institutions ,visiting mining scholars shall be placed in a higher education institution approved by the ,bureau that-- 7,a7 demonstrates a commitment to develop or expand academic programs in the mining industry2 7,b7 possesses existing faculty expertise or research activity in the mining industry or related extractive fields2 7,c7 provides institutional support and resources1 such as laboratory facilities1 field sites1 or equipment1 relevant to mining education and research1 including in geology2 7,d7 demonstrates a commitment to integrate the visiting scholar into curriculum development1 faculty training1 or workforce pipeline initiatives in mining2 7,e7 demonstrates a plan for sustaining mining or critical mineral resources programs beyond the duration of the visiting scholar's placement2 7,f7 shows evidence of student interest or regional workforce demand for mining education programs or training2 and 7,g7 agrees to provide mentoring1 administrative support1 and opportunities for the visiting scholar to engage with students1 faculty1 and local industry4 7#c7 ,scholarship ,period 7,a7 ,in general ,the duration of each scholarship period under this section shall be determined by the ,bureau and shall1 whenever feasible1 be not less than three months and not more than one year4 7,b7 ,exceptions ,any exception to the duration of the scholarship period described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall be submitted by the visiting mining scholar to and approved by the ,bureau before such exception takes effect4 7f7 ,scholarship award ,the ,bureau shall provide each visiting mining scholar under this section with an allowance to cover the scholar's reasonable costs of living during the scholarship period4 7g7 ,annual reports ,not later than #a year after the completion of the ,visiting ,scholars ,program by the initial cohort of scholars selected pursuant to subsection 7d77#a71 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives that includes information on the implementation of the ,visiting ,scholars ,program1 including-- 7#a7 the demographics and geographical origins of the cohort of scholars who completed a ,visiting ,scholars ,program during the reporting period2 7#b7 the ,united ,states universities at which visiting scholars were placed2 7#c7 the foreign universities or other post-graduate institutions from which the cohort of visiting scholars were chosen2 7#d7 a description of academic placements selected under the ,visiting ,scholars ,program1 including participant feedback on program implementation and lessons learned2 and 7#e7 a plan for factoring lessons learned into future programming4 4 #f4 ,technical and conforming amendments to the ,mutual ,educational and ,cultural ,exchange ,act of #aifa ,the ,mutual ,educational and ,cultural ,exchange ,act of #aifa 7,public ,law #hg-bef2 #bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bdea et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #ajd7;g7 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bded7;g771 by striking paragraph 7#e72 7#b7 in section #ajh;,a7a7 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bdeh;a7a77-- 7,a7 by striking 7#a7 before ,congress2 7,b7 by striking paragraph 7#b72 and 7,c7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 as paragraph 7#a71 7#b71 and 7#c71 respectively2 7#c7 in section #aab 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bdfj7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#i71 by striking and at the end2 7ii7 in the first paragraph designated as paragraph 7#aj71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 7iii7 in the second paragraph designated as paragraph 7#aj7-- 7,i7 by striking 7#aj7 and inserting 7#aa72 and 7,,ii7 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7iv7 by adding at the end the following3 7#ab7 the ,critical ,mineral ,mining ,fellowship ,program established under section #aaf1 which provides funding for studies1 research1 and international exchange for students seeking or completing advanced degrees from ,united ,states higher education institutions in self-arranged placements with universities with mining education programs in foreign countries2 and 7#ac7 the ,visiting ,mining ,scholars ,program established under section #aag1 which provides funding for international mining academics1 practitioners1 professionals and operators in self-arranged placements with universities in the ,united ,states4 2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7g7-- 7i7 by striking paragraph 7#b72 7ii7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#c7 through 7#aa7 as paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#aj71 respectively2 and 7iii7 in paragraph 7#aj71 as redesignated1 by striking paragraph 7#f7 and inserting paragraph 7#e72 and 7#d7 in section #aae7;d77#b7 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bdfe7;d77#b77-- 7,a7 by striking subparagraph 7,b72 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 by striking 7,a7 ,in general4--2 and 7ii7 by redesignating clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 as subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71 and moving such clauses #b ems to the left4 #g4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,department of ,state #aj1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjbf through #bjce for the purpose of carrying out the ,critical ,mineral ,mining ,fellowship ,program and the ,visiting ,mining ,scholars ,program established under sections #aaf and #aag of the ,mutual ,educational and ,cultural ,exchange ,act of #aifa1 as added by sections #d and #e4