To amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to make that Act applicable to hardrock minerals.
Summary
H.R. 3872 aims to amend the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands to include hardrock minerals. This change would extend the Act's provisions, currently applicable to certain minerals like oil and gas, to also cover hardrock minerals such as base metals, precious metals, and industrial minerals found on acquired lands. The bill defines 'hardrock mineral' and excludes specific minerals already covered under other legislation.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to expand the scope of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands. This expansion would allow for the leasing and development of hardrock minerals on federally acquired lands under the same framework currently used for other minerals. This could lead to increased mining activity on these lands.
Potential Benefits
- Increased domestic mineral production, potentially reducing reliance on foreign sources.
- Creation of jobs in the mining and related industries.
- Potential for increased revenue to the government through lease payments and royalties.
- Development of domestic sources for minerals critical to manufacturing and technology.
- Clarification of the legal framework for hardrock mineral development on acquired lands.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased environmental impact from mining activities, including habitat destruction and water pollution.
- Possible conflicts with existing land uses and conservation efforts.
- Concerns about the adequacy of existing regulations to protect the environment and local communities.
- Increased strain on infrastructure in areas where mining activity increases.
- Potential for disputes over land access and mineral rights.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with Congress's power under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which grants it the power to regulate property belonging to the United States. The Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) also gives Congress the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).