This bill allows mining operators to use federal lands for waste disposal and other activities related to mining operations regardless of whether those specific lands contain valuable mineral deposits. It addresses a court decision restricting such uses and creates a fund for abandoned mine reclamation from mill site claim fees.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill allows mining operators to use federal lands for waste disposal and other activities related to mining operations regardless of whether those specific lands contain valuable mineral deposits. It addresses a court decision restricting such uses and creates a fund for abandoned mine reclamation from mill site claim fees.
Last updated: 1/6/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Mining Regulatory Clarity Act</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>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 <a href="https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2022/05/12/19-17585.pdf">the Rosemont decision</a>, described further in <a href="https://crs.gov/Reports/R48166">CRS Report R48166</a>). 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Allows mining waste disposal on federal lands without mineral validity
Addresses Rosemont court decision on mill site claims
Permits multiple mill sites as reasonably necessary for operations
Creates Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund from claim fees
Funds abandoned mine reclamation activities
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Mining companies could use federal lands near their operations for waste disposal and processing facilities. Fees from these claims would fund cleanup of abandoned hardrock mines. This resolves uncertainty from a 2022 court ruling affecting mining operations.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Environmental Protection
Related Subjects
Government trust funds
Land use and conservation
Mining
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1366, 119th Congress (2025). "Mining Regulatory Clarity Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1366
