University of Utah President Taylor Randall attended the event, posting about it later on social media. Trump said the U.S. must focus on its mining industry to achieve economic independence. More than $180 million will go to 14 mining schools across the country to “bolster” the workforce going forward, Trump announced. Currently China dominates the critical minerals market, including for minerals necessary for weapons manufactured in the U.S., which have been depleted during the Iran war. Mining Department Chair Pratt Rogers also attended.