The Shutdown of the U.S. Bureau of Mines: A Devastating Loss

The dust has finally settled two years after the dismantling of the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM). The salvaged functions deemed necessary in this post-Cold War era by Congress have since been tucked away into other accommodating agencies, although, seemingly, at greater than previous costs.

News of the USBM's closing rocked the industry, though many insiders say that the decision was inevitable. In only 90 days, nearly 90 years worth of research and information were catalogued, transferred, or terminated. But both outside critics of the closing and supporters at the heart of it say…