As House Natural Resources Committee Debates Mining Bill, Earthjustice Urges Meaningful Reforms, Not Industry Handouts

Today the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a legislative hearing on Rep. Mark Amodei’s Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2023. The bill would make it easier for mining companies and individuals to stake claim on public lands—without the existence of valid mineral claim—while overturning the settled law of the Rosemont decision. In anticipation of the hearing, Earthjustice Senior Legislative Representative Blaine Miller-McFeeley issued the following statement:

“At a time where we should be updating the 1872 Mining Law, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act moves in the opposite direction. It’s nothing more than a handout to large mining corporations that would give them unprecedented power to stake a claim on public lands and block them for other uses like recreation, conservation, cultural purposes, and even clean energy projects. As we look to transition to a clean energy future powered by increasing mineral demand, the current mining regulatory framework, and this proposed solution, are woefully inadequate.

“Instead of sweetheart deals aimed at maximizing profits for mining companies, Congress should instead pass the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act that would update our mining laws to meet current challenges while protecting the health, water, Indigenous sacred sites, and cultural resources of mining-impacted communities.”

90 groups sent a letter to U.S. Representatives opposing the bill and instead, urged them to reform our outdated mining laws.