This bill changes the rules for leasing hardrock minerals on lands owned by the United States. It helps clarify what types of minerals can be leased and ensures hardrock minerals are included in leasing agreements.
This bill specifies that all federally acquired lands are eligible to be considered for hardrock mineral leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (MLAAL). The bill defines the term hardrock mineral to (1) include deposits of minerals found in sedimentary or other rocks, base metals, precious metals, industrial minerals, and precious and semi-precious gemstones; and (2) exclude deposits of coal, oil, oil shale, gas, sodium, potassium, sulfur, or mineral materials subject to disposition under the Materials Act of 1947. By way of background, hardrock minerals are not currently listed under the MLAAL as deposits subject to a lease, while mineral resources such as coal, phosphate, oil, gas, gilsonite, and sulfur are listed. As a result, federal lands may be leased for mining hardrock minerals only if the federal lands were acquired under a statute, such as the Weeks Act, that specifically authorizes the land to be used for hardrock mineral leasing.
1. This bill updates the Mineral Leasing Act to include hardrock minerals. 2. Hardrock minerals include metals, gemstones, and industrial minerals. 3. The bill specifies what types of minerals are not included. 4. It adds hardrock minerals to the list of resources that can be leased. 5. The changes apply to lands acquired by the United States.