Hard Rock Mining Reform

OUR PRIORITIES

  • Advocate for legislative reforms to the General Mining Act of 1872, a 150-year-old law that monitors mining regulations and has not been updated since its enactment.

  • Advocate for administrative reforms under the Bureau of Land Management to hold mining companies accountable for reclamation and ensure that communities and environmental and cultural resources are protected from mine pollution.

RECENT IMPACT

  • We published op-eds by Hualapai Tribal Chairman Damon Clarke in Arizona and former West Wendover Mayor Daniel Corona in Nevada on the urgency of industry reforms.

  • We hosted virtual briefings, including “CODE RED: Clean Energy & U.S. Mining Policy,” to educate elected officials about the law and the need for reform to protect tribal communities.

RESOURCES

Earthworks Fact Sheet: 1872 Mining Law

Chair Grijalva, Senator Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Modernize Antiquated Mining Law, Protect Taxpayers