Mining Law Reform

We all use products of mining every day and responsible mining can help provide much-needed resources to our nation. However, the current law governing mining on public lands - The General Mining Law of 1872 - is badly out of date. American Whitewater has been working with our colleagues in the Outdoor Alliance believes to modernize this law.

Frontier days are over. Today, we understand that public lands provide many things, such as clean water and outdoor recreation opportunities, that are often more valuable than minerals underground. Because it was written in another era, the 1872 Mining Law fails to recognize or accommodate this reality. For example, it allows mining companies to take public minerals without royalty and purchase public land for the 1872 price of $5 per acre or less. The law has permitted the sale of public lands to mining firms for a mere fraction of their real value, depriving American citizens of their outdoor birthright.

The 1872 Mining Law should be modernized. Mining on public land must be balanced with all other uses of public land, including clean water and outdoor recreation. Outdoor Alliance believes Congress should explore the following reforms:

• Recognition of public land values other than mining.
• Protection of the nation`s special places (historic sites, national parks, wild and scenic rivers, wilderness study areas, and Native American cultural sites) and their surroundings.
• An end to the outdated regulations that have allowed land patenting (selling public lands for a few dollars an acre)
• Requiring that mined land be restored to pre-mining conditions and that rivers are protected.
• Creation of a modern and fair royalty system.

Check out the: Outdoor Alliance Mining Law Reform Video