Public lands. Interior should ensure against abuses from hardrock mining
This report describes how effectively the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is regulating mining activities conducted under the Mining Law of 1872, as amended. We found that because BLM does not require its state offices to screen mining claim data at the time the claims are recorded, some claims are recorded without sufficient information to determine their location, and claims located on federal lands after they are closed to minerals exploration and development are not being identified and invalidated. Furthermore, despite legislative requirements for reclamation, some BLM lands are not being reclaimed, and BLM does not require most miners to post bonds covering the costs of reclamation.
- Research Organization:
- General Accounting Office, Washington, DC (USA). Resources, Community and Economic Development Div.
- OSTI ID:
- 5746777
- Report Number(s):
- GAO/RCED-86-48; ON: TI86901389
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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