This bill would let hardrock mining projects on public land set up as many support sites (called “mill sites”) as they reasonably need, if they have a federally approved plan for their operations. Each site can be used for mine support like waste rock and tailings and is limited to 5 acres. These sites do not give rights to the minerals, can be placed on the same land as a mining claim, do not change the claim’s status, and cannot be turned into private property.

It keeps current land protections and government oversight in place. It does not create new rights on closed land, change past land withdrawals, restore old rights, or weaken environmental and historic laws. It also creates an Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. Claim maintenance fees paid on these mill sites would go into the Fund, and the money could be spent, without another appropriation, only for work allowed by a section of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, with spending directed by that law.

• Who is affected: Mining claim holders and operators on public land, and federal land agencies that review and approve plans.
• What changes: Allows multiple mill sites as reasonably needed; each is capped at 5 acres; mill sites give no mineral rights and cannot be privatized; they can sit on the same land as a mining claim; fees from these sites go into the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund for uses set by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
• When: If enacted, these rules would apply after the law takes effect; operators must have an approved plan before using mill sites.