Mining Claims Under the General Mining Laws; Surface Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM or "we") amends its regulations governing mining operations involving metallic and some other minerals on public lands. We are amending the regulations by removing certain provisions of the regulations and returning others to those in effect on January 19, 2001. We intend these regulations to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of BLM-administered lands by mining operations authorized under the mining laws. The approach BLM takes today balances the nation's need to maintain reliable sources of strategic and industrial minerals, while ensuring protection of the environment and natural resources on public lands. The hardrock mining regulations, including the changes adopted today, are consistent with the recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC), and protect the Federal Government from financial risk if operators are unable to perform reclamation.