1999 RESOLUTIONS
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Resolution
#6: Amending 1872 Mining Law
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| Hardrock mining on public
lands was authorized by the General Mining Law of 1872. The
Interior Department has recently begun to enforce the limitation of
millsites stated in that law. Miners holding 20 acre lode claims
are limited to one five-acre millsite claim for the purpose of allowing
the miner to mill the ore and store the waste. This limitation is
the only provision in the law that protects the environment.
Congress is attempting to amend the laws by a rider on the Interior
Appropriations bill. However, the 1872 Mining Law needs to be
amended by direct legislation, not by ride, in order to accomplish the
following environmental safeguards: |
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| 1. Agencies must be
able to determine when other values exceed mineral values. 2. There must be a fair return for use of the public resources. 3. A reclamation plan and adequate bonding should be required for all operations. 4. There should be an end to privatization (patenting) of public lands. |
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| ACTION: FWOC opposes
weakening any environmental protection afforded by the 1872 Mining Law
by amendments introduced as riders on appropriation bills and supports
a Congressional reform of the 1872 MIning Law to provide greater
safeguards for the public lands and for the public at large. |
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