Mining the public wealth: it's time to reform the Mining Law of 1872

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Sierra Club Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5009836

Sheridan, D

The case is presented for raising hardrock mineral prices, especially for primary metals, because of the energy-intensity of mining and processing. Resource recycling is estimated to be technologically feasible, although the present subsidization of hardrock mining on public lands makes mining more economical than recycling. The history and effects of present mining laws are reviewed and new legislative proposals analyzed. Land-use planning is shown to be the main tool available for implementing environmental constraints in accord with multiple-use mandates, under which the costs and benefits of mining are given the same kind of analysis as other land uses. National attention has not been drawn to hardrock mining because its damage appears to be less than that of strip mining, although the cumulative effect can be as serious. Properly imposed environmental safeguards and reclamation requirements, however, can allow important minerals to be mined on public lands without interfering with other uses. The threat of a cartel controlling minerals is not seen to be a serious problem.

• OSTI ID: 5009836
• Journal Information: Sierra Club Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Sierra Club Bull.; (United States) Vol. 63:3; ISSN SCBUB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
290400* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Energy Resources
510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AESTHETICS
CARTELS
CHARGES
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INDUSTRY
LAND POLLUTION CONTROL
LAND RECLAMATION
LAND USE
MINERAL INDUSTRY
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINES
POLLUTION CONTROL
PUBLIC LANDS
RECYCLING
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
RESOURCE DEPLETION
RESOURCES