More on the Current 1872 Mining Law Reform Attempt

On Wednesday I published a post concerning the latest attempt in Congress to amend the General Mining Law of 1872.

Those interested in following the progress of the current bill, H.R. 699, may do so by visiting the link here or by checking the new section in the right-hand sidebar titled Legislative Alerts and utilizing the links there.

Additionally, there is another article on this proposed measure appearing in the San Jose Mercury News which is linked here.

Stay tuned.

"Reformers" Target 1872 Mining Law -- Again

I haven't reported on this subject for a while as, quite frankly, it makes me sick. But now that some sort of legislative action appears imminent, I feel I have a duty to bring it to your attention:

According to an article in the Colorado Independent, Democratic Representative Nick Rahall of West Virginia, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, plans to introduce the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009. Like its predecessors, this bill would levy "a 4 percent royalty on existing mines and an 8 percent royalty on new mines — percentages that are in line with what the coal, oil and gas industries currently pay."

I'm not even going to go into why metal mines are not comparable to coal, oil, and gas operations and therefore should not be treated on the same basis. The galling thing is that the proponents of this measure seem more interested in the APPEARANCE of fairness than in actual fairness. But I guess that's what we should expect from those who practice extortion for a living.

The article also seems to equate the current "royalty-free extraction of gold, uranium and other hard-rock minerals from public lands across the West" allowed by the General Mining Law of 1872 with a $1.6 billion subsidy over the coming decade. Huh? Isn't this like a mugger who doesn't take ALL of your money claiming that he's given you a financial contribution?

Anyway, for those hypotensive souls out there who need to elevate their blood pressure, you can find the above mentioned article at the link here.

New "Gold and Fish Pamphlet" Coming (Slowly)

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has updated their mineral prospecting web page to reflect the upcoming "Gold and Fish pamphlet" containing the new prospecting and mining rules that take effect April 3, 2009. At this time, the essential information is contained in the following two sentences (emphasis added):

1. Because WDFW will publish a new Gold and Fish pamphlet in April 2009 that incorporates new rules adopted by the Fish and Wildlife Commission on November 8, 2008, WDFW will no longer be printing or distributing copies of the 1999 edition.

2. WDFW is developing the 2009 edition of the Gold and Fish pamphlet and will post it on this page when complete.

Accordingly, you may want to visit "this page" from time to time in order to keep up with the appearance of the new regulations. I shall endeavor to do likewise and post any updates here.

Note (added 1/21/2009): RCW 77.55.091 Small Scale Prospecting and Mining -- Rules states, in part (emphasis added):

(3) Within two months of adoption of the rules, the department shall distribute an updated gold and fish pamphlet that describes methods of mineral prospecting that are consistent with the department's rule....

I was just wondering how this squares with the November 8, 2008 to April something, 2009 time frame for the publication of the new pamphlet? I guess some of us get to play fast and loose with the rules while the rest of us don't?

Happy New Year...

...to all my readers and thank you for following this blog in 2008. Here's wishing all of you a safe and rewarding season in 2009.