1994 A LOOK BACK — U.S. Mining Law reform stalls

Reform of the 1872 Mining Law in the U.S. stalled when lawmakers abandoned congressional efforts to work out a compromise.

The House of Representatives and the Senate approved different mining reform legislation, but efforts to mesh the two bills failed. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt vowed to reopen the debate in 1995.

The 122-year-old Mining Law allows federal mining claims to be purchased for a nominal fee per acre, with no royalty owing on minerals recovered. Proposed amendments would have seen the introduction of market value payment for land and royalties.