Summary

Sets new rules for hardrock mining on federal lands. Existing claims and related processing sites are brought under a leasing-and-royalty system, with clear permits, plans, and reclamation bonds to prevent unnecessary or undue environmental harm and to clean up abandoned mines. Agencies must consult early and meaningfully with Indian Tribes before actions that could affect tribal interests. A new Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program is funded in part by a per‑ton fee on displaced material, along with royalty revenues, and includes reporting, enforcement, inspections, public transparency, and citizen‑suit provisions. Small miner leases are defined with specific fees, rentals, renewals, and an exemption from the per‑ton reclamation fee.

Key Points

• Brings existing hardrock claims and processing sites under a leasing, royalty, and permitting framework on federal lands.
• Requires meaningful consultation with Indian Tribes before actions that may affect tribal interests and rights.
• Creates small miner’s leases with defined eligibility, fees, rentals, renewals, and conversion options.
• Establishes federal royalties on certain hardrock production and shares revenues with States and a reclamation program.
• Mandates permits, reclamation plans, and financial assurance to prevent unnecessary or undue environmental degradation.
• Creates a national Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program with dedicated per‑ton fee funding and enforcement tools.
• Exempts small miner’s leases from the per‑ton displaced material reclamation fee.
• Allows compatible other uses on leased/licensed lands while reserving coal and other non‑hardrock minerals to the U.S.
• Recognizes State standards and enables Federal‑State cooperative agreements, while preserving Federal enforcement authority.
• Provides inspections, public transparency, citizen‑suit provisions, penalties, and clear reporting and payment timelines.

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