This book, the result of a congressionally mandated study, examines the adequacy of the regulatory framework for mining of hardrock mineralsâ€"such as gold, silver, copper, and uraniumâ€"on over 350 million acres of federal lands in the western United States. These lands are managed by two agenciesâ€"the Bureau of Land Management in the Department of the Interior, and the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture. The committee concludes that the complex network of state and federal laws that regulate hardrock mining on federal lands is generally effective in providing environmental protection, but improvements are needed in the way the laws are implemented and some regulatory gaps need to be addressed. The book makes specific recommendations for improvement, including: The development of an enhanced information management system and a more efficient process to review new mining proposals and issue permits. Changes to regulations that would require all mining operations, other than "casual use" activities that negligibly disturb the environment, to provide financial assurances for eventual site cleanup. Changes to regulations that would require all mining and milling operations (other than casual use) to submit operating plans in advance.

Hardrock Mining on Federal Lands

The Gen. Mining Act of 1872 helped open the West by allowing individuals to obtain exclusive rights to mine gold, silver, and other hardrock minerals from fed. lands without having to pay a fed. royalty. However, western states charge royalties. For years, some mining operators did not reclaim land used in their mining operations, creating environ. and physical safety hazards. In 2001 the fed. gov¿t. began requiring operators to provide financial assurances to cover reclamation costs before they began exploration or mining operations. This testimony focuses on the: (1) royalties states charge; (2) number of abandoned hardrock mine sites and hazards; and (3) value and coverage of financial assurances operators use to guarantee reclamation costs. Illus.

Mining of Hardrock minerals on federal lands is governed primarily by the General Mining Law of 1872. The law grants free access to individuals and corporations to search for minerals in public domain lands, and allows them, upon making a discovery, to stake a claim on that deposit. A claim gives the holder the right to develop the minerals and may be "patented" to convey full title to the claimant. This book explores the issue of whether this law should be reformed, and if so, how to balance mineral development with competing land uses.