News Archive
Uranium mining at Grand Canyon halted
July 20, 2009
Today, Department of Interior Secretary Salazar announced that roughly 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon National Park will be protected from new mining claims. The action halts claimstaking under the nation's 1872 mining law that allows corporations and individuals "free and open access" to more than 350 million acres of public lands across the West.
Find out more about the withdrawal
Check out the view from Route 1872
Update: July 20, 2009
This summer, millions will vacation at our treasured national parks and forests. But these spectacular sights and natural wonders are also in the path of a Civil War-era law that gives the "hardrock" mining industry the right of way at almost every turn. The 1872 Mining Law still cuts a wide, expensive swath across the public landscape.
Buckle up and check out the view from Route 1872
Take Action: Protect the Grand Canyon
August 20, 2009
The Obama administration recently took emergency action to halt temporarily new claimstaking around Grand Canyon National Park. Now, its Department of Interior is asking the public whether mining should be prohibited on a long-term basis around the park's boundaries.
Let the Interior Secretary Salazar know that mining must be prohibited around the Grand Canyon
Pew Environment Group Statement on EPA mining notice, Senate Reform Hearing
July 13, 2009
Jane Danowitz, director of the Pew Environment Group’s U.S. public lands program, issued a statement today in response to Monday’s Environmental Protection Agency notice that identifies mining as a taxpayer burden and the nation’s top polluter, documenting billions spent over the past decade on cleanup of mining industry toxic “mega-sites.”
Read the statement
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)
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The Price of Inaction: $1.6 Billion
On January 27, the Pew Environment Group released a new report finding that U.S. taxpayers and the federal treasury stand to lose an estimated $1.6 billion in potential revenue over the next decade. The report, released on the eve of the introduction of the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009, links the revenue loss to outdated policies that subsidize the mining of gold, uranium and other metals on federal public lands.
Read the report (PDF)
Read a summary of the report
Read the press release
One Step Closer to Grand Canyon Mining
On December 5th, the Interior Department finalized a proposal to do away with long-standing procedures for responding to Congressional calls for emergency action to protect public lands. The Department's action may make it easier for mining, oil and gas drilling and other development to occur near our national treasures, including the Grand Canyon. Read a statement from the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining.
Abandoned Mines: An Ominous Threat
On July 25, the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Interior reported that abandoned mines pose an "ominous" threat to public health and safety, pointing to the need for reform of the 1872 mining law. Read the coverage in the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, featuring statements from Senate and House leadership and the Pew Campaign.
House Calls for Emergency Ban on Grand Canyon Mining
On June 25th the House Natural Resources Committee voted to withdraw more than 1 million acres from new mining claims encroaching on the Grand Canyon and other national parks. Read a statement from Jane Danowitz, Director of the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining.
Editorial Roundup
Across the country, newspapers have been featuring editorials regarding the 1872 Mining Act and the message is clear: Senate must act now to reform this outdated law. View a roundup of these editorials including most recently hits in The New York Times and The Denver Post.
Hello?! It's Been 136 Years
On May 10th 1872 President Ulysses S. Grant signed the General Mining Law. We have just passed yet another anniversary of this milestone, our 136th. Little has changed since then and giant corporations are still receiving the same sweet deal. View our new ads highlighting the need for mining reform.
Senator Cantwell, Western Lawmakers Urge Swift Action
On May 8th, the eve of the 136th anniversary of the mining law, the Pew Campaign held a telebriefing featuring New Mexico lawmakers and key western stakeholders. Participants discussed the proliferation of new mining claims, record-breaking industry profitability, and rising cleanup costs left to taxpayers. Listen to the briefing.
150 Groups Call on U.S. Senate to Protect Grand Canyon
On April 24, recreation and conservation groups in 24 states across the country sent a letter urging the U.S. Senate to protect the Grand Canyon National Park by reforming the 135-year-old mining law. Read the press release as well as the letter [PDF] issued by the groups. Additionally, read letters calling for limits to mining near the Grand Canyon from Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Mines Staking a Claim
Thousands of new mining claims have sprouted near Colorado cities and towns, including the densely populated Front Range and mountain resorts. These stakes aren't relics of a bygone era; they all have been filed in the past five years. Read the April 11 op-ed by Penelope Purdy, senior associate with the Pew Environment Group.
President Ulysses S. Grant on Whistle Stop Tour
Beginning March 25, President Ulysses S. Grant will visit four cities for a whistle stop tour as part of a campaign to modernize the Civil War-era law that governs gold, uranium and other hardrock mining in the West. Find out more! Update: New photos and audio available.
Report: Mining Claims Threaten Western Cities and Towns
Soaring prices for gold, copper, and uranium have sparked an explosion of mining claims that are encroaching on booming cities, sprawling suburbs, small towns and rural recreation havens throughout the western US. Find out more: Read the March 11th press release and listen to a briefing.
A Grand Place To Mine?
Jane Danowitz, Director of the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining, responds to news that a foreign-owned company has been granted permission to explore for uranium within three miles of the Grand Canyon, one of the nation's greatest treasures. Read the March 1 op-ed running in The Salt Lake Tribune.
Mining Law Reform Ads Hit Western Airwaves
On February 19, The Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining launched radio ads in Colorado, Montana and New Mexico to inform Rocky Mountain audiences about the outdated 135-year-old mining law. Read the press release and listen to the ads.
A Kiss Goodbye To Hardrock Mining's Sweet Deal
Under a law set down in 1872, mining was considered the "highest and best use" of public lands. Today, when public needs for public lands are even greater and miners dig low grade ores with minerals measured at microscopic levels, this old policy still gives mining a sweet deal. Find out more.
Why New Hampshire Should Care About Western Mining
Jan Pendlebury from the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining makes the case for why New Hamphire should care about western mining law reform in her February 10th op-ed published in the Keen Sentinel. Read the op-ed.
Washington State Leaders Urge Senate Action on 1872 Mining Law
On February 7, a broad coalition of state and local officials, conservationists, tribal leaders, and sportsmen called on U.S. Senators Cantwell and Murray to develop a genuine reform package that builds on the success of H.R. 2262. Find out more.
Natural Resources Committee Hearing on 1872 Mining Law
The Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on reforming the 1872 Mining Law on January 24. Read a statement from Jane Danowitz, Director of the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining. Update: Read the new factsheet [PDF].
Colorado Locals Urge Senate to Pass Mining Reform Bill
In the face of a dramatic increase in new mining claims, private landowners, hunters and anglers, taxpayer advocates, local elected officials, and outdoor recreation and conservation advocates held a press conference on January 23 to call on Senators Salazar and Allard to reform the 135-year-old mining law. Read the press release. Update: View photos from the event.
Director of The Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining Featured in National Geographic's "Wild Chronicles"
National Geographic's popular program "Wild Chronicles" features a segment on the antiquated 1872 Mining Act, including interviews with Pew's own Jane Danowitz. View the segment here.
Montana Stakeholders Urge Senators to Pass Mining Reform Bill
On January 15, in the face of rising cleanup costs and an increase in mining claims in Montana, public officials, tribal leadership, sportsmen and ranchers called on Senators Tester and Baucus, to reform the 1872 Mining Act. Find out more, read the press release. Update: View pictures from the event.
New Mexico Mining Claims Jump 50 Percent Since 2003; State Officials Call for Reform
On January 10, state and county officials in New Mexico called on Senators Bingaman and Domenici, leaders of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, to reform the 135-year-old Mining Act. Read the press release.
President Grant supports mining reform
On November 1, President Ulysses Grant and First Lady Julia Grant made a rare appearance in Washington, DC to urge Congress to reform H.R. 2262, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act. See photos from this historic visit.
Mining Reform Bill Passes House!
H.R. 2262, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act has passed the House of Representatives, an important step toward reforming the federal law that has governed the mining of gold, uranium and other hardrock minerals on public lands for more than 135 years! Read a statement.
It's Prime Time for Mining Reform
See a larger version of the ad to the right, or read recent editorials in favor of mining reform. (October 30, 2007).
House Natural Resources Committee Vote on H.R. 2262 — read a statement from Jane Danowitz, Director of the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining (October 23, 2007).
House Natural Resources Committee Marks Up H.R. 2262, The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007 — read a statement from the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining (October 18, 2007).
Briefing: Mining in New Mexico
On September 26, 2007, New Mexico stakeholders and experts hosted a telebriefing to discuss the impacts of mining in the state and how Senator Bingaman’s leadership on reforming the antiquated 1872 Mining Law could help. Past mining operations in New Mexico have left their mark and considering that New Mexico saw a 50% increase in active mine claims between January of 2003 and July of 2007 (from 7,550 to 11,348), the future of mining-related problems in the state could increase significantly unless the 1872 Mining Law is reformed. Listen to the briefing or get details.
Oregon's Formosa Mine Listed Under Superfund
Read a statement from the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining (September 17, 2007).
Western Treasures Threatened
On August 16th, the Pew Mining Reform Campaign held a press briefing on threats to the Grand Canyon and other western treasures arising from the 1872 Mining Law. Read a press release about the new report on these threats to our public lands, listen to the briefing, or read media reactions to the report.
Also, see Pew Mining Reform Campaign Director Jane Danowitz's statement on the July 26th House hearing on 1872 Mining Law reform. Or, Listen to a press briefing about new congressional efforts to reform law.
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