Hardrock Leasing and Reclamation Act of 2019

Hardrock Leasing and Reclamation Act of 2019

This bill addresses mineral leasing, exploration, and development on federal land.

Among other things, the bill

• prohibits the issuance of a patent for certain mining or millsite claims;
• establishes a permitting and leasing system for hardrock mining;
• establishes a 12.5% royalty on new mining operations and an 8% royalty on existing operations, with an exemption for small miners;
• protects special places, such as wilderness study areas, roadless areas, and wild and scenic rivers, from hardrock mining activity;
• requires consultation prior to undertaking any mineral activities that may have a substantial direct impact on the lands or interests of Indian tribes;
• establishes an environmental standard for mining activities to ensure that mining activities prevent undue degradation of public lands and resources;
• prescribes requirements for the exploration permit process and for operations permits, including financial assurances; and
• authorizes the use of amounts in the Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund for the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past hardrock mineral activities and related activities.