Following a failed attempt last week, a bill that would significantly ease restrictions for mining companies on federal lands passed through the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, 216-195.
Nevada Congressman Mark Emodei’s Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2024 aims to enable the use of public property for mining infrastructure regardless of whether a mineral deposit has been identified in the area.
The legislation would essentially reverse the Rosemont decision from 2022, which mandated the discovery of valid mineral deposits before any operations in a mining claim’s vicinity or surrounding area could be authorized. It also revoked a proposed plan for Arizona’s Rosemont copper mine — hence the name.
“Now more than ever, we must ensure we are doing all that we can to increase domestic mineral production and protect the ability to conduct responsible mining activities on federal lands,” Amodei said in a statement.
If approved by the Senate, it would enable road development, power line construction and waste rock disposal sites in and outside of claim boundaries, among other things.
“We must make it easier to mine in the United States to end our reliance on foreign adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party,” Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse said, adding that he was proud to support the bill.
Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto says if the Rosemont decision is not corrected it will continue to upend current and future mining projects while threatening thousands of jobs in Nevada and the U.S.
I wrote the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act to protect thousands of jobs and build our critical mineral supply chain here in America.
I’m proud to have worked with @MarkAmodeiNV2 and @Rep_Peltola to pass this bill in the House – and I’ll keep fighting to pass it in the Senate.
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) May 9, 2024
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Environmental and Indigenous groups oppose bill
Certain organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity oppose the relaxation of mining rules in the country.
“Nevada is at the epicentre of a huge mining boom right now, and our public lands need strengthened protections,” Director Patrick Donnelly said. “Instead, this bill aims to unleash the mining industry, with devastating consequences for Nevada’s wildlife and communities.”
The Western Shoshone Nation — native to Nevada, Utah, Idaho and California — is not happy about it either.
“This bill, if it becomes law, would perpetuate further harm against Indigenous peoples of Nevada, the original stewards of these lands, by allowing mining waste and pollution to run rampant,” Western Shoshone member Mary Gibson said.
Amodei’s home state of Nevada is known for producing the vast majority of all American gold. It is one of the world’s most favourable mining jurisdictions.
It is home to major gold producers like Nevada Gold Mines, mid-tier miners like Calibre Mining Corp (TSX: CXB) (OTCQX: CXBMF) and advanced-stage exploration companies like U.S. Gold Corp. (Nasdaq: USAU).
In addition to gold, the state also produces vast quantities of silver, lithium, copper and a variety of other minerals.
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