Times Change...And So Should The 1872 Mining Law

The Latest:

Grand Canyon at Risk
May 20, 2009
As summer vacation season kicks off, Pew Environment Group reminds U.S. Interior that uranium mining isn’t the right backdrop for family fun. Earlier in May, Interior made a decision that could allow uranium exploration just outside Grand Canyon National Park.
Read a letter from the Pew Environment Group

Another Year and Still No Mining Reform
May 5, 2009
It's still on the books. Signed by President Grant in 1872, the nation's hardrock mining law gives giant, global corporations the same sweet deal it gave the 19th century prospector.

Find out more about the 137 year mining law

Download a copy of our new ad (PDF)

Mining Legislation Introduced
April 28, 2009
On April 4th, 2009, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced legislation (S.796) to reform the 1872 mining law. A House version of the bill (HR. 699) was introduced in January and is currently working its way through committee.

Factsheet: The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act Protecting Taxpayers and the Environment (PDF)

Read a statement from the Pew Environment Group.

Read the legislation (PDF)

Background

The cost to Americans has been high.

• The U.S. Treasury loses an estimated $100 million a year because the metal mining industry — unlike coal, oil and gas companies — can extract valuable resources from public land essentially for free.



• Taxpayers face a $50 billion cleanup bill from this industry, which releases more toxic pollution than any other.



• Claimholders can buy public land for $5 an acre or less, and use it for anything from condominiums to casinos. An area nearly the size of Connecticut has already been sold at these 1872 prices.

Worse yet, a new rush is on in the West. Over the past five years, mining claims for uranium, gold and other metals on public lands have increased almost 50%. Many of these new claims — staked largely by foreign-owned companies — lie near national treasures such as the Grand Canyon, as well as highly populated urban areas and tribal lands.

It's time to reform the 1872 Mining Act and reclaim our public lands for future generations.