Contributor: SME
December 6 is National Miners Day, a day designated by Congress to honor the contributions and sacrifices of the miners who have helped make America strong. SME will honor this day with a Thank You to all SME members working in the mining industry, as we take a moment to remember those who have given so much to this important community.
Today, more than 325,000 miners work in nearly 13,000 mines across the nation to extract minerals from the Earth that play critical roles in the quality of American lives. Everything we depend on is either made from minerals or relies on minerals for its production; from basic living to national defense, communications and transportation, energy and electronics, recreation and agriculture, to the clothes we wear and the cars we drive. According to the Minerals Education Coalition, the average American will need 3.19 million pounds of minerals, metals, and fuels in their lifetime.
“The men and women who work in mining and minerals industries provide the resources that drive economies and raise the standard of living for people worldwide. They often work in challenging environments so that our lives may be more comfortable,” said SME Executive Director David L. Kanagy. “Please take a moment to reflect upon and honor the extraordinary accomplishments of our nation’s miners – past, present and future.”
SME is a professional society (nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation) whose members represent all professions serving the mining, minerals and underground construction industries in more than 100 countries. SME members include engineers, geologists, metallurgists, educators, students and researchers. SME advances the worldwide minerals community through information exchange and professional development.
SME exists to be the premier resource and advocate for the mining community. For further details, see www.smenet.org.
