EMA Offers Support for Bipartisan House Bill to Clean Up Abandoned Hardrock Mines

Arlington, Va., Sept. 18, 2024 – The Essential Minerals Association (EMA) today applauded the efforts of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for passing the “Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act,” which would create a pilot permitting program under the Environmental Protection Agency to allow cleanup projects on federal lands to move forward more easily in an effort to improve water quality in and around these sites.

“Unfortunately, there are more than 100,000 abandoned hardrock mines in the United States that were closed before current regulations required cleanup and remediation efforts,” said Chris Greissing, EMA president. “Our industry has the responsibility to clean up our history, and I am pleased to see bipartisan support for this commonsense legislation. This program is a much-needed tool to allow for clean-up of these sites without placing undue liability on agencies and organizations taking the right steps to improve the environment.”

There are over 140,000 remnants of abandoned hardrock mines on federal land with at least 22,500 that pose health and environmental risks. This legislation would make it easier for “Good Samaritans,” including state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and other groups, to clean up and improve water quality in and around abandoned hardrock mines. It would also ensure these groups have the skills and resources needed for the projects undertaken. This program is designed for low-risk projects that will improve water or soil quality or otherwise protect human health and the environment.

The bill was introduced into the committee by Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT) and Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK) alongside Reps. John Curtis (R-UT), Blake Moore (R-UT), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Susie Lee (D-NV), and Jim Costa (D-CA). A companion piece of legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Jim Risch (R-ID). In the wake of today’s approval by the committee, EMA urges the full House and Senate to pass this bill into law immediately to address this longstanding issue.  

#

The Essential Minerals Association (EMA) is the representative voice for companies that extract and process a vital and beneficial group of raw materials and minerals, which are the essential ingredients for many of the products used in everyday life. Formerly, the Industrial Minerals Association – North America, EMA ensures that the voices of its member companies and the socio-economic benefits they provide – from mining to end-use products – are heard by government leaders as well as the general public. Visit essentialminerals.org to learn more.