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Mining Regulatory Clarity Act
12/30/2025, 4:03 PM
Summary of Bill HR 1366
The bill seeks to address the environmental and public health risks posed by these abandoned sites, which can include contaminated water sources, unstable land, and other hazards. By creating a dedicated fund for the cleanup and reclamation of these sites, the bill aims to protect communities and the environment from the negative impacts of abandoned hardrock mining operations.
In addition to establishing the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, the bill also includes provisions for the location of multiple hardrock mining mill sites. This aspect of the bill aims to streamline the process for identifying and prioritizing sites in need of cleanup and reclamation, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. Overall, Bill 119 HR 1366 represents a bipartisan effort to address the longstanding issue of abandoned hardrock mining sites in the United States. By creating a dedicated fund and establishing a process for site identification and prioritization, the bill aims to protect communities and the environment from the negative impacts of these abandoned sites.
Congressional Summary of HR 1366
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.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill HR 1366
Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 1366
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
1Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
3Democrat Cosponsors
2Republican Cosponsors
1Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 1366
Primary Policy Focus
Environmental ProtectionPotential Impact Areas
Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 1366
Comments

Aubree McNamara
3 months ago
I just read about this new bill and I'm feeling really unsure about it. It seems like it could have a big impact on mining regulations, but I'm not sure exactly how. Will this bill make things better or worse for our environment and communities? What are the short term affects we can expect to see?

Riley Dalton
10 months ago
So, what does this mean for us?


