MERICA Act of 2025
MERICA Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# MERICA Act of 2025 Summary **What it does:** The bill expands opportunities for hardrock mineral mining on federal lands by making all federally owned land eligible for hardrock mineral leasing. Currently, only certain federal lands acquired under specific laws can be leased for hardrock mining, while other minerals like coal and oil can be leased more broadly. This bill would level the playing field by allowing companies to lease federal land for hardrock minerals (like copper, gold, silver, and gemstones) under the same general rules that apply to other mineral types. **Who it affects:** Mining companies would gain more opportunities to extract hardrock minerals from federal lands.
States like Alaska (specifically mentioned in the bill) and other regions with significant mineral deposits could see increased mining activity. Environmental groups and conservation advocates oppose such measures, while the mining industry and resource-dependent communities generally support them. Taxpayers own these federal lands, so the decision affects public property management. **Current status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and now awaits consideration in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
This bill specifies that all federally acquired lands are eligible to be considered for hardrock mineral leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (MLAAL). The bill defines the term hardrock mineral to (1) include deposits of minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks, base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, and precious and semi-precious gemstones; and (2) exclude deposits of coal, oil, oil shale, gas, sodium, potassium, sulfur, or mineral materials subject to disposition under the Materials Act of 1947.By way of background, hardrock minerals are not currently listed under the MLAAL as deposits subject to a lease, while mineral resources such as coal, phosphate, oil, gas, gilsonite, and sulfur are listed. As a result, federal lands may be leased for mining hardrock minerals only if the federal lands were acquired under a statute, such as the Weeks Act, that specifically authorizes the land to be used for hardrock mineral leasing.
Latest Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.