U.S. Mining Law repeal given committee nod

The interior and insular affairs committee of the U.S. House of Representatives recently approved legislation to repeal the Mining Law.

Under the amended legislation, a new system for acquiring rights to explore for and develop minerals on public lands would be established. The legislation was submitted by Representative Nick Rahall, who rewrote his bill after conducting a series of field hearings. The substitute incorporates a minimum 8% gross royalty on minerals mined from public lands. The legislation could be sent to the full House of Representatives for passage this summer.