Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
Plain Language Summary
# Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (HR 1366) Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill simplifies rules for mining companies operating on federal lands. Specifically, it allows mining operators to use federal land for mining-related activities—like waste disposal sites—even if those lands don't contain valuable mineral deposits themselves. The bill also creates a new fund called the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund to address old, abandoned mines. The legislation responds to a 2022 court ruling that had restricted where mining companies could locate waste disposal areas on public lands. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects mining companies and federal land management.
It allows operators to include multiple waste disposal sites (called "mill site claims") within their mining plans as needed for operations. The main change makes it easier for companies to designate where they'll dispose of mining waste without proving the disposal areas themselves contain valuable minerals. The bill also establishes the new fund, though details about its funding and purpose aren't fully specified in this summary. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting further action in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Mining Regulatory Clarity ActThis bill allows mining operators to use federal lands for activities ancillary to mining, such as waste disposal, regardless of whether those lands contain mineral deposits valuable enough to be mined (mineral validity). It also establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund.The bill addresses a 2022 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit related to the Rosemont Copper Mine in Arizona (commonly known as the Rosemont decision, described further in CRS Report R48166). The court held that mining claims are only allowed where mineral validity has been established and that mill site claims are more appropriate means for establishing a mining waste disposal site under the Mining Act.The bill allows a mining operator to (1) locate and include within its plan of operations as many mill site claims (e.g., areas for waste rock disposal) as are reasonably necessary for its operations, and (2) use or occupy public land in accordance with an approved plan of operations.Additionally, the bill requires any revenue generated from fees for such mill site claims to be deposited into the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. The Department of the Interior must use the fund for certain abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate.