1872 Mining Law Reform

The archaic 1872 Mining Law was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant. It was passed to promote the development and settlement of publicly-owned lands in the western US. Clearly, times have changed since 1872, and there is no longer a need to give massive tax subsidies to large, wealthy mining corporations that often walk away from their mines leaving toxic water and decimated fish runs for communities to deal with on their own. Under the 1872 mining law, corporations can buy interests in public lands for no more than $5 per acre – this price being set and not altered since 1872! And in 1872, you can imagine what environmental protections were like – nonexistent. It was a wide open country with plenty of trees, clean water, and chock full of wildlife. Reform of the 1872 Mining Law is long overdue, and the Task Force is working with other groups across the nation for a new round of mining legislation that fits the nation’s needs and values today. For more details, please visit one of our partners’ webpages at http://www.earthworksaction.org/1872.cfm.