Washington, D.C.- Senator John Ensign, Senator Harry Reid and Representative Dean Heller today announced a $227,075 grant for the state of Nevada to help ensure the safety of miners and to provide training.  The funding is administered through the Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration.   “Mining is a vital component to our economy, but we have to make sure everyone involved is safe, trained and properly prepared,” said Ensign. “Recent news stories have depicted the horror of several mine collapses throughout our country, with many lives lost. This grant will provide training to miners in Nevada to further protect their lives as they are put at risk daily in mines across our state.”   “Mining has always played a large role in the Silver State’s economy,” said Reid.  “This grant will help facilitate training that is needed for the men and women working in our mines.  I commend the Mine Safety and Health Administration for joining us in this endeavor that will undoubtedly save lives.”   “The mining industry is vital to the economic health of many communities throughout Nevada.  This grant will provide funds to help ensure that mine workers are prepared to handle emergency situations at the mine sites.  I am pleased this grant has been made available to help train Nevada’s mine workers,” said Heller.   This grant will enable the state to provide federally mandated training to miners working at the surface and underground in metal and nonmetal mines.