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A new analysis by the National Parks Conservation Association illustrates the threat mining claims pose to national public lands, including national parks and national monuments. In The New Land Rush: Mining Claims Encroaching on National Parks, NPCA mapped hardrock mining claims on national public lands and found that more than 3,700 current mining claims are within the boundaries of national parks or national monuments. More than 120,000 claims are within 30 miles of the boundaries of a national park or national monument—a quarter of all current mining claims on national public lands.
The findings underscore the need to reform the Mining Law of 1872, which has governed mining on national public lands for over 150 years and is woefully out of date. NPCA offers a number of policy recommendations to better protect communities and our public lands, including actions to hold the mining industry accountable and ensure companies pay for the minerals they extract and the clean-up efforts required to address mine pollution and waste. Learn more in the report, which includes an interactive map and state-by-state fact sheets.
Unpacking Trump's mining and timber EOs
In the latest episode of the Center for Western Priorities podcast, The Landscape, Kate and Aaron talk to two experts about recent executive orders that negatively affect public lands. Mitch Friedman, founder and executive director of Conservation Northwest, talks about how Trump’s executive order aimed at increasing logging in national forests squares with existing law and forest management plans, while Rachael Hamby, policy director at the Center for Western Priorities, covers Trump’s recent order seeking to ramp up mining on public lands.
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These lands provide more than just economic benefits — they offer healing and peace. The outdoors is a sanctuary for countless veterans who have sacrificed for this country.”
