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HR 699 111th Congress House

Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009

Official title: To modify the requirements applicable to locatable minerals on public domain lands, consistent with the principles of self-initiation of mining claims, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 7, 2009 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesBusiness recordsCivil actions and liability
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Department of AgricultureDepartment of the InteriorFederal-Indian relationsGovernment liabilityGovernment trust fundsIndian lands and resources rightsIntergovernmental relationsJudicial review and appealsLand use and conservationLicensing and registrationsMiningPollution liabilityState and local government operationsUser charges and feesWater qualityWildlife conservation and habitat protection
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 26, 2009
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 4, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Jan 27, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 27, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E148)
Jan 27, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 26, 2009

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009 - Applies this Act to any mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim located under the general mining laws or used for beneficiation or mineral processing activities, regardless of whether legal and beneficial title to the mineral is held by the United States.

Conditions federal issuance of a patent for any such mining or millsite claim upon specified determinations by the Secretary of the Interior.

Subjects production of locatable minerals to a royalty of 8% of the gross income from mining.

Imposes a 4% royalty upon federal lands subject to an existing permit, and specified royalties on certain federal land added to an existing operations permit.

Prescribes a hardrock mining claim maintenance fee for each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site on federally owned lands.

Designates certain wilderness study areas, areas of critical environmental concern, and related areas as not open to location of mining claims.

Permits a state or local government or Indian tribe to petition the Secretary of the Interior for withdrawal of specific federal land from operation of the general mining laws in order to protect specific values.

Instructs the Secretary to ensure that mineral activities on federal land subject to a claim are carefully controlled to prevent undue degradation of public lands and resources.

Prescribes requirements for the exploration permit process and for operations permits, including financial assurances.

Requires restoration of lands to a condition capable of supporting prior uses or other beneficial uses.

Establishes the Locatable Minerals Fund composed of: (1) penalties, fees, and royalties; (2) the Hardrock Reclamation Account, and (3) the Hardrock Community Impact Assistance Account.

Amends the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to initiate prompt actions to improve the availability and analysis of mineral data in public land use decision-making with respect to National Forest System lands.

Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to subject certain oil shale claims to the reclamation requirements of this Act.

Repeals the Building Stone Act and the Saline Placer Act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 699: Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-699/
MLA
"H.R. 699: Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-699/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 699, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-699/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 699: Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-699/)
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