The $US147,305 grant was funded by the US Mine Safety and Health Administration’s State Grant Program, which distributes money to 49 states and the Navajo Nation annually to support health and safety programs that can help reduce mining-related illnesses, injuries and accidents.
"New Mexico plays an important role in national and international mining production,” Udall said.
“This grant will help create a safer workplace for all New Mexico miners by funding safety training and accident prevention programs.”
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology coordinates programs for all miners and contract workers in the state and across all types of mining. Courses include new miner training, annual refresher courses, mine rescue training, first aid training, federal cooperative instructor training, and surface and underground foreman certification and qualification.
The single active underground coal operation in the state is BHP Billiton’s San Juan complex in Farmington. The 576-worker thermal operation has one longwall panel and supplies the San Juan Generating Station.
