MERIT
(Mineral Resources Education and Research Initiative)

MERIT will create a program to fund cooperative research and educational activities in US universities and other research organizations that will continue and enhance education and applied science related to mineral resource issues (stewardship, discovery, production, sustainability, environment)
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Progress in 2005-06

Representative Jim Gibbons (NV 2nd District) "Dear Colleague" letter for MERIT was circulated in April. Both the House and Senate budgets have restored the President's proposed cuts to the USGS MRP. The Senate included $1M external grants program throught the MRP -- this was the basis for the FY06 $1M Mineral Resources External Research Program.
    We were able to generate some considerable support, however additional communication with Congressmen and Senators is always needed. Even a quick e-mail (if you have already written, or a longer message if you have not) about the letter, the MERIT inititative, and the importance of the USGS Minerals Program is always helpful.

Click here for background, suggestions on what to say, and text of Representative Gibbon's letter.

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Why is action needed immediately?

    Mineral resource education and research in the United States is collapsing: Minerals education and research is at risk in the United States, no matter what its aim: basic concepts, societal relevance, or needs of industry. Expertise and education on minerals issues are imploding in the United States and, indeed, in much of the world.
   University positions in Economic Geology (right) and Mining Engineering (below) have steadily disappeared with retirements or transfer into other fields. This is happening in spite of the fundamental role of mineral resources in civilization, the increasing production and use in the U.S. and globally, and the need for socially responsible and economically sound use of these materials.
  The fundamental reason for this decline is that minerals programs are small and thus are at risk of elimination when there is a down turn in the employment market and when there is an academic focus on other, better funded topics. This decline thus is a direct consequence of solid research funding in other fields, but very little for applied minerals-related related studies. Universities follow dollars.

    USGS and other organizations: Similarly, funding to maintain the professional expertise and applied science in the USGS Mineral Resources Program and related related fields has been under attack for many years as illustrated by the demise of the US Bureau of Mines in 1995 amd the continuing annual proposed cuts to USGS mineral resource studies. This year the proposed funding reduction for the USGS MRP is more than 50%.

     The consequence is that within the next decade, if not sooner, the US will lose its intellectual critical mass for sustaining training, education, research, and public service related to mineral resources. This is in spite of the fundamental importance of earth materials to the national economy and, more broadly, the impact that these disciplines have on many other aspects of our life from the environment and public health to land use decisions to jobs to national security.

This figure shows the change in Mining Engineering Departments in the US between 1985 and the present. The majority of programs in the US have closed since 1985 -- only a handful of minerals focused programs remain. Economic Geology programs have an analogous pattern though they typically consist of only single faculty (top figure shows national trend since the 1970s) -- it is equally dire.

MERIT – an initiative that can make a difference

  What is MERIT?  MERIT will create an externally funded competitive grants program through the USGS that would support applied research and education broadly related to mineral deposits (from environment to materials flow to geologic studies). Such a program is critical for the survival and health of mineral resources activities in US institutions and thus to addressing the long-term sustainability of education and research in service needs of the country. Links to the MERIT proposal: (html, MS Word, pdf).

The National Research Council (NRC) has published three reports that highlight the need for federal funding of mineral-resource and related research. In 1996 (and reiterated in 2004), the NRC recommended funding an external grants program for minerals-related research within the USGS. In 2003, the NRC recommended funding a program in Material Flows, the tracking of supplies, use, and paths of minerals and other materials within the global economy, which has tremendous implications for national security.

In Fiscal Year 2004, in response to these reports and strong interest from the community, the USGS Minerals Program created an external grants program (MRERP) using internal funds. This program received a strong response (about 35 proposals) yet because of limited funds it and it was able to fund only a total of six proposals. Although this program is continuing in FY 2005, at a slightly higher funding level (request for proposals, linked here), it will be eliminated in FY 2006 if the proposed cuts to the Mineral Resources Program are enacted.

  Who is involved?  The MERIT effort involves an increasing group of academics, industry professionals, and professional societies (Society of Economic Geologists, American Institute of Professional Geologistists, Geological Society of Nevada, Arizona Geological Socienty among them) along with others including NASULGC (National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, the DC group representing state universities). All are engaged in to advancing this request in Congress. In 2005 many individuals and groups from more than 20 states and have committed to supporting MERIT.

The MERIT effort has been coordinated by four of us:
  Mark Barton (Director, Center for Mineral Resources and Professor of Economic Geology;
      (520) 621-8529 barton@geo.arizona.edu)
  John Dilles (Professor of Economic Geology, Oregon State University;
     (541) 737-1245; dillesj@geo.oregonstate.edu)
  Jon Price (State Geologist and Director, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology;
     (775) 784-6691; jprice@unr.edu)
  Larry Grayson (Chair of the Department of Mining & Nuclear Engineering,
     University of Missouri-Rolla; (573) 341-4753; graysonl@umr.edu)

   Progress: MERIT has been in development for over two years. In our most recent trip, John Dilles and Jon Price visited Washington, D.C. on February 6 to 9 to line up support for MERIT. We are pleased to report that Congressman Jim Gibbons will champion the effort for the House of Representatives by circulating a "Dear Colleague" letter that expresses support for the program.  We are also pleased that there has been good reception for MERIT among key Senators and their staffs. Later this month (March), Jon Price, Mark Barton, and Larry Grayson will be in DC and will continue with Capitol Hill and other contacts.

It goes without saying that the challenges in 2005 for funding any initiative are immense, yet the status of mineral resources science and engineering is sufficiently grim that avoiding the challenge may result in an irreversible collapse. Here is what is needed:

TOP

Active support needed – now

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Write (by fax or e-mail) in support of "Dear Colleague" Letter
and long-term support for Minerals Research in the USGS

The "Dear Colleague" letter for MERIT was circulated in April. Both the House and Senate budgets have restored the President's proposed cuts to the USGS MRP. The Senate language currently (summer 2005) proposes a $1M external grants program throught the MRP.
    We were able to generate some considerable support, however additional communication with Congressmen and Senators is always needed. Even a quick e-mail (if you have already written, or a longer message if you have not) about the letter, the MERIT inititative, and the importance of the USGS Minerals Program is always helpful.

Click here for background, suggestions on what to say, and text of Representative Gibbon's letter.

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  We need you to make a difference! Only through active political support in Washington can MERIT come to pass and, more broadly the mineral resources activities in the US be sustained for the long term. We ask for your help in writing to your Congressional delegation within the next few weeks.  Below are example letters that indicate whom your Representative should contact to sign onto the "Dear Colleague" letter (mentioned above) and how your Senators best can express support for the program. Additionally, strong support for restoring the proposed budget cuts in the USGS MRP would be key.

The House Appropriations Subcommittees want input from constituents no later than April 1, thus requests from members (e.g., MERIT, MRP funding) must be in as soon as possible (they may listen later, but chances of  impact are reduced).

If you have questions, please contact any of the principals (above) by e-mail or phone.