Hardrock Mining Reform: Royalties, Fees, and Fund for Public Land Reclamation.
This Act fundamentally reforms hardrock mineral extraction on federal lands by introducing mandatory fees, royalties (5-8% of production value), and strict new environmental requirements. A key change is the establishment of a dedicated fund, financed by these revenues, specifically for cleaning up thousands of abandoned mines, thereby reducing the financial burden on taxpayers and enhancing public safety. Furthermore, the law ends the ability to acquire public mining lands outright (patents) and requires mining companies to provide full financial assurance to cover all reclamation costs.
Key points
End of Free Land Acquisition: Abolishes the ability to obtain ownership (patent) of public mining lands.
New Fees and Royalties: Imposes annual claim maintenance fees ($200) and a mandatory royalty rate of 5-8% on the gross income from extracted minerals.
Mine Cleanup Fund: Establishes the Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund, financed by fees and royalties, dedicated to addressing hazards from abandoned mines.
Full Reclamation Requirement: Operators must provide full financial assurance (bonds/surety) to cover all costs of reclamation and long-term water treatment.
Protection of Sensitive Areas: Requires review and potential withdrawal of sensitive public lands (e.g., wilderness areas) from future mineral development.
Status:
Expired
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