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.
Suction Dredging Battle Escalates
• State attorneys claim the Court of Appeals wrongly relied on South Dakota Mining Association v. Lawrence County regarding federal preemption...
MMAC Update
In May 2017, the district participated in a meeting with representatives from several state and federal agencies where they educated agency officials about the authority of Mining Districts, Mining Law and miner’s rights.
PLP Update
During discussions with other property rights advocates and members of the current administration, Karen Budd-Falen’s name was mentioned many times as a possible director for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Legislative and Regulatory Update
- EPA declines to impose additional regulations and financial requirements on hardrock miners
- “Baffling” ruling in suction gold dredging court case
Detecting Clay Seams
Because the old timers were so good at locating the better paying deposits—most of them along clay seams in this particular area—it makes good sense to try and locate these clay lines at old mining sites.
PLP To Address Needs Of Small Miners With Proposed Amendment
The Senator’s office was very receptive to the small miner’s plight and was unaware of the dire problems created by the over-regulation of small-scale mining from so many different fronts. It was pointed out that S 145 may help the large mining companies a little, but falls woefully short in addressing the needs of small operators who make up 85% of domestic mines.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• Haaland confirmed as head of Department of Interior
• Proposed bills aim to lock up millions of acres of public lands
• Recall election could have implications for dredgers in California
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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
