Legislation & Regulation
Legislative and Regulatory Update
May 2020 by Scott Harn
• Congress deals with other priorities
With the coronavirus being the main focus of attention at both the state and federal level, there was no significant mining legislation to report on over the past month. We did, however, receive word from Trump administration officials that several of our proposed regulatory changes/improvements are moving toward publication in the Federal Register and this is very welcome news. Take a look at the PLP Update in this issue for more on this topic.
• Alaska miners get relief on state lands
The State of Alaska legislature passed SB 155, which provides clarity for exploration and mining rights on state lands, allows miners a clear path to cure filing errors, and provides clear definitions of annual labor and what activities satisfy annual labor requirements.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
- Budd-Falen in line to become next director at BLM
- Ten national monuments slated for changes or reductions
- California adds another fee
Emergency Dredging Closures in Washington State
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) issued emergency rules without public comment just prior to our publication deadline.
Feds Order Closure of Idaho Mine
Federal safety inspectors have ordered one of the nation’s deepest underground mines closed in northern Idaho following an investigation prompted by a series of accidents that killed two miners over the last year.
Mining Districts in Montana Get Organized
Those miners present immediately recognized the benefits of becoming members of MMAC and joined up on the spot. I spent some time answering a few questions, and then the miners took over.
PLP Update: Another Suction Dredge Case Heading to the US Supreme Court
In the meantime, we will continue our multi-pronged approach to seek regulatory relief at the federal level while supporting those court cases that are built on a strong legal foundation.
5th Circuit Ruling May Benefit Miners
This ruling comes at an opportune time, just as suction dredge miners are dealing with new proposed regulations in several western states. Be sure to cite this case when you provide comments on the regulations!
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• California dredging update
• Favorable bills in Congress
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Ask The Experts - What does a prospector look for when seeking ores?
• Ask The Experts - Is a detector any good at discriminating pyrite or chalcopyrite in ferrous-reject mode?
• Ask The Experts - Does the Journal know if any gold mining has been shut down over the Covid-19 virus?
• Ask The Experts - Is this a promising assay?
• Ask The Experts - How do you utilize magnets in your prospecting equipment?
• Ask The Experts - Is using hydrogen peroxide a good indicator for PGMs?
• A Note from the Editor
• Going Over Old Ground With Newer Technology
• Hard Rock 101: Breaking Rock—Part I
• Tips and Tricks
• Prospecting in the Age of Covid-19
• Sharing Gold Fever with a Friend
• Panning on North Fork American Yields Good Gold
• Gold Prospecting for Better or Worse: Dum-Dum Dodges a Boom-Boom
• 'Wormholes'—Reckless Adventure
• All About Lead Minerals, Silver and Gold
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
Free:
PLP Update: Regulatory Relief On The Way
• It's Time to Get the Heck Out of China
