News Archive
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Responsible Mining launched radio ads in Colorado, Montana and New Mexico to inform Rocky Mountain audiences about the outdated 135-year-old mining law.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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