The Bureau's mission was gradually expanded to include: The first director of the USBM was Joseph Austin Holmes, a pioneer in occupational safety and health.

[2] From its creation, the USBM was viewed, both nationally and internationally, as the focal point for new and emerging science and technology in the minerals field.

Since entering competition in 1978, the Bureau of Mines won 35 R&D 100 Awards, given annually by R&D Magazine for the 100 most important research innovations of the year.

This achievement is especially impressive considering the small size of the Bureau's research budget, compared to those of competing organizations, such as E.I.

[citation needed] In September 1995, Congress voted to close the Bureau of Mines and to transfer certain functions to other federal agencies.

Certain specific health, safety, and materials programs were transferred to the Department of Energy, and certain minerals information activities moved to the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Land Management.

Closure of the Bureau of Mines, and the accompanying transfers of functions and employee layoffs were essentially complete in March 1996.

In fiscal year 1997, it was permanently transferred to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (Public Law 104-134).