HECHO Strongly Opposes the Detrimental Mining Regulatory Clarity Act

Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO) strongly opposes the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (H.R. 2925) that the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed. This legislation is now moving forward to the Senate, which is co-sponsored by Nevada Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). 

“Instead of amending the antiquated Mining Law of 1872 to modernize it and include stronger protections to safeguard the health of the environment and communities, this bill will make our public lands more vulnerable to destruction and exploitation by giving mining companies the right to claim any public lands for any purpose associated to their activities,” said Camilla Simon, HECHO executive director. “This legislation doesn’t advance responsible mining, which should be defined in reforms to the 1872 law still governing mining claims on public lands; it prioritizes mining over all other public land uses and over Western communities already affected by pollution caused by this extractive industry.”   

According to the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, mining companies “shall have the right to use, occupy, and conduct operations on public land, with or without the discovery of a valuable mineral deposit” if the required fees are paid. 

If this bill is enacted into law, it will grant mining companies unrestricted access to our public lands, allowing them to conduct any activities, including the disposal of toxic mining waste and the construction of roads or infrastructure to support facilities. This could have severe and lasting implications for our environment and communities. 

The Biden Administration has also released a statement opposing this harmful bill.  

“We must prioritize our lands, waters, communities, and wildlife. Instead of allowing this detrimental bill to pass, we urge Congress to focus on reforming the 1872 Mining Law. This reform should champion the protection of our public lands and a sustainable mining future by balancing conservation and the mineral needs of the clean energy transition,” said Max Trujillo, HECHO Senior NM Coordinator.