The U.S. Department of Labor announced on October 19, 2026 that its Mine Safety and Health Administration has awarded more than $10.5 million in grants to reduce mining accidents, injuries and illnesses by supporting training and education programs. The grants support delivery of federally mandated training for new and experienced miners at surface and underground coal mines and metal and nonmetal mines. MSHA awarded grants in 45 states, the Navajo Nation and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Wayne Palmer said the grants "will promote safe and healthful workplaces for over 300,000 miners across 47 states, territories, and tribal lands." States and territories apply for the funding, which is then awarded to state mine inspectors' offices, state departments of labor, and state-supported colleges and universities. Training and education programs are tailored locally to address the conditions and hazards miners may experience in each jurisdiction. Published recipient examples include Bevill State Community College in Jasper, Alabama ($243,711), the University of Alaska at Fairbanks ($160,886) and the Arizona State Mine Inspector's Office in Phoenix ($453,633). The full recipient list accompanies the announcement. For workers considering mining trades, these grants fund the required safety training pipeline: federal rules require new-miner and annual refresher training before and during mine employment, and this annual state-grant cycle is how much of that training is delivered through colleges and state offices. MSHA made a similar state-grant award announcement in November 2025 for the prior cycle.