1872 Mining Law Reform campaign

Lead Group(s):
EARTHWORKS
Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining

Support Group(s):
Sportsman United for Sensible Mining
Environment America
Environmental Working Group
League of Conservation Voters
Taxpayers for Common Sense
Outdoor Alliance

Description of the problem the campaign is seeking to address:
The outdated 1872 Mining Law allows mining companies to take minerals from public lands for free. The law lacks protections for water or other natural resources and treats mining as the “highest and best use” of public lands - even when those lands are valued for other uses.

Description of the Achievement(s):
The mining reform coalition successfully passed a bill, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act, through the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

Description of how this is an important step toward the campaign's goals, and if applicable, how it shows innovation:
By passing a comprehensive 1872 Mining Law reform bill through the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, this sets up the campaign for potential Senate action in the fall, or in future Congresses. One of the main goals of the campaign was to establish broad-based support throughout the West for meaningful mining law reform, making it an issue that could not be ignored by lawmakers. A diverse coalition of hunters and anglers, local governments, community groups, tribes, recreational land users and others joined together to bring the message of reform to key House and Senate members.This achievement signifies that despite political challenges and mining industry influence, real 1872 Mining Law reform is possible.