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Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
5/7/2025, 8:38 PM
Summary of Bill S 544
The bill proposes the establishment of the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, which would be used to locate and clean up multiple abandoned hardrock mining mill sites. These sites pose environmental and safety hazards, as they often contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals that can leach into the surrounding soil and water sources.
In addition to creating the fund, the bill also outlines a process for identifying and prioritizing the cleanup of these sites. It calls for collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to ensure that the cleanup efforts are efficient and effective. Overall, Bill 119 s 544 aims to address the environmental and public health risks posed by abandoned hardrock mining mill sites by providing funding and a framework for cleanup efforts.
Congressional Summary of S 544
Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
This bill allows mining operators to use federal lands for activities ancillary to mining, such as waste disposal, regardless of whether those lands contain mineral deposits valuable enough to be mined (mineral validity). It also establishes the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund.
The bill addresses a 2022 decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit related to the Rosemont Copper Mine in Arizona (commonly known as the Rosemont decision, described further in CRS Report R48166). The court held that mining claims are only allowed where mineral validity has been established and that mill site claims are more appropriate means for establishing a mining waste disposal site under the Mining Act.
The bill allows a mining operator to (1) locate and include within its plan of operations as many mill site claims (e.g., areas for waste rock disposal) as are reasonably necessary for its operations, and (2) use or occupy public land in accordance with an approved plan of operations.
Additionally, the bill requires any revenue generated from fees for such mill site claims to be deposited into the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund. The Department of the Interior must use the fund for certain abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities.
