(ii) have performed assessment work re-
quired under the Mining Law of 1872 (30 
U.S.C. 28 et seq.) to maintain the mining 
claims held by the claimant and such related 
parties for the assessment year ending on noon 
of September 1 of the calendar year in which 
payment of the claim maintenance fee was due. 
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), with re-
spect to any claimant, the term ‘‘all related parties’’ 
means— 
(i) the spouse and dependent children (as 
defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986), of the claimant; or 
(ii) a person affiliated with the claimant, 
including— 
(I) a person controlled by, controlling, 
or under common control with the claim-
ant; or 
(II) a subsidiary or parent company 
or corporation of the claimant. 
(3)(A) The Secretary shall adjust the fees re-
quired by this subsection to reflect changes in the 
Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor every 
5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, or 
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more frequently if the Secretary determines an ad-
justment to be reasonable. 
(B) The Secretary shall provide claimants no-
tice of any adjustment made under this paragraph 
not later than July 1 of any year in which the ad-
justment is made. 
(C) A fee adjustment under this paragraph 
shall begin to apply the calendar year following the 
calendar year in which it is made. 
(4) Moneys received under this subsection that 
are not otherwise allocated for the administration of 
the mining laws by the Department of the Interior 
shall be deposited in the Locatable Minerals Fund 
established by this Act. 
(b) LOCATION.— 
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law, for 
every unpatented mining claim, mill or tunnel site 
located after the date of enactment of this Act and 
before September 30, 1998, the locator shall, at the 
time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau 
of Land Management, pay to the Secretary a loca-
tion fee, in addition to the fee required by subsection 
(a) of $50 per claim. 
(2) Moneys received under this subsection that 
are not otherwise allocated for the administration of 
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the mining laws by the Department of the Interior 
shall be deposited in the Locatable Minerals Fund 
established by this Act. 
(c) CO-OWNERSHIP.—The co-ownership provisions of 
the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28 et seq.) will remain 
in effect except that the annual claim maintenance fee, 
where applicable, shall replace applicable assessment re-
quirements and expenditures. 
(d) FAILURE TO PAY.—Failure to pay the claim 
maintenance fee as required by subsection (a) shall conclu-
sively constitute a forfeiture of the unpatented mining 
claim, mill or tunnel site by the claimant and the claim 
shall be deemed null and void by operation of law. 
(e) OTHER REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) Nothing in this section shall change or mod-
ify the requirements of section 314(b) of the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
U.S.C. 1744(b)), or the requirements of section 
314(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1744(c)) related to filings 
required by section 314(b), which remain in effect. 
(2) Section 2324 of the Revised Statutes of the 
United States (30 U.S.C. 28) is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘or section 103(a) of the Hardrock Mining and 
Reclamation Act of 2014’’ after ‘‘Act of 1993’’. 
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SEC. 104. EFFECT OF PAYMENTS FOR USE AND OCCUPANCY 
OF CLAIMS. 
Timely payment of the claim maintenance fee re-
quired by section 103 of this Act or any related law relat-
ing to the use of Federal land, asserts the claimant’s au-
thority to use and occupy the Federal land concerned for 
prospecting and exploration, consistent with the require-
ments of this Act and other applicable law. 
TITLE II—PROTECTION OF 
SPECIAL PLACES 
SEC. 201. LANDS OPEN TO LOCATION. 
(a) LANDS OPEN TO LOCATION.—Except as provided 
in subsection (b), mining claims may be located under the 
general mining laws only on such lands and interests as 
were open to the location of mining claims under the gen-
eral mining laws immediately before the enactment of this 
Act. 
(b) LANDS NOT OPEN
TO LOCATION.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law and subject to valid 
existing rights, each of the following shall not be open to 
the location of mining claims under the general mining 
laws on or after the date of enactment of this Act: 
(1) Wilderness study areas. 
(2) Areas of critical environmental concern. 
(3) Areas designated for inclusion in the Na-
tional Wild and Scenic Rivers System pursuant to 
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the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et 
seq.), areas designated for potential addition to such 
system pursuant to section 5(a) of that Act (16 
U.S.C. 1276(a)), and areas determined to be eligible 
for inclusion in such system pursuant to section 5(d) 
of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(d)). 
(4) Any area identified in the set of inventoried 
roadless areas maps contained in the Forest Service 
Roadless Area Conservation Final Environmental 
Impact Statement, Volume 2, dated November 2000. 
(c) EXISTING AUTHORITY NOT AFFECTED.—Noth-
ing in this Act limits the authority granted the Secretary 
in section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Manage-
ment Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1714) to withdraw public 
lands. 
SEC. 202. WITHDRAWAL PETITIONS BY STATES, POLITICAL 
SUBDIVISIONS, AND INDIAN TRIBES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
any State or political subdivision of a State or an Indian 
tribe may submit a petition to the Secretary for the with-
drawal of a specific tract of Federal land from the oper-
ation of the general mining laws, in order to protect spe-
cific values identified in the petition that are important 
to the State or political subdivision or Indian tribe. Such 
values may include the value of a watershed to supply 
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drinking water, wildlife habitat value, cultural or historic 
resources, or value for scenic vistas important to the local 
economy, and other similar values. In the case of an In-
dian tribe, the petition may also identify religious or cul-
tural values that are important to the Indian tribe. The 
petition shall contain the information required by section 
204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1714). 
(b) CONSIDERATION OF PETITION.—The Secretary— 
(1) shall solicit public comment on the petition; 
(2) shall make a final decision on the petition 
within 180 days after receiving it; and 
(3) shall grant the petition subject to valid ex-
isting rights, unless the Secretary makes and pub-
lishes in the Federal Register specific findings why 
a decision to grant the petition would be against the 
national interest. 
TITLE 
III—ENVIRONMENTAL 
CONSIDERATIONS 
OF 
MIN-
ERAL EXPLORATION AND DE-
VELOPMENT 
SEC. 301. GENERAL STANDARD FOR HARDROCK MINING ON 
FEDERAL LAND. 
Notwithstanding section 302(b) of the Federal Land 
Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1732(b)), 
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the first section of the Act of June 4, 1897 (chapter 2; 
30 Stat. 36; 16 U.S.C. 478), and the National Forest 
Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.), and 
in accordance with this title and applicable law, unless ex-
pressly stated otherwise in this Act, the Secretary— 
(1) shall ensure that mineral activities on any 
Federal land that is subject to a mining claim, mill-
site claim, or tunnel site claim is carefully controlled 
to prevent undue degradation of public lands and re-
sources; and 
(2) shall not grant permission to engage in min-
eral activities if the Secretary, after considering the 
evidence, makes and publishes in the Federal Reg-
ister a determination that undue degradation would 
result from such activities. 
SEC. 302. PERMITS. 
(a) PERMITS REQUIRED.—No person may engage in 
mineral activities on Federal land that may cause a dis-
turbance of surface resources, including but not limited 
to land, air, ground water and surface water, and fish and 
wildlife, unless— 
(1) the claim was properly located under the 
general mining laws and maintained in compliance 
with such laws and this Act; and 
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(2) a permit was issued to such person under 
this title authorizing such activities. 
(b) NEGLIGIBLE DISTURBANCE.—Notwithstanding 
subsection (a)(2), a permit under this title shall not be 
required for mineral activities that are a casual use of the 
Federal land. 
(c) COORDINATION WITH NEPA PROCESS.—To the 
extent practicable, the Secretary and the Secretary of Ag-
riculture shall conduct the permit processes under this Act 
in coordination with the timing and other requirements 
under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332). 
SEC. 303. EXPLORATION PERMIT. 
(a) AUTHORIZED
EXPLORATION
ACTIVITY.—Any 
claim holder may apply for an exploration permit for any 
mining claim authorizing the claim holder to remove a rea-
sonable amount of the locatable minerals from the claim 
for analysis, study and testing. Such permit shall not au-
thorize the claim holder to remove any mineral for sale 
nor to conduct any activities other than those required for 
exploration for locatable minerals and reclamation. 
(b) PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.—An ap-
plication for an exploration permit under this section shall 
be submitted in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary 
or, for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Ag-
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riculture, and shall contain an exploration plan, a reclama-
tion plan for the proposed exploration, and such docu-
mentation as necessary to ensure compliance with applica-
ble Federal and State environmental laws and regulations. 
(c) RECLAMATION PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—The rec-
lamation plan required to be included in a permit applica-
tion under subsection (b) shall include such provisions as 
may be jointly prescribed by the Secretary and the Sec-
retary of Agriculture. 
(d) PERMIT ISSUANCE OR DENIAL.—The Secretary, 
or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Ag-
riculture, shall issue an exploration permit pursuant to an 
application under this section unless such Secretary makes 
any of the following determinations: 
(1) The permit application, the exploration plan 
and reclamation plan are not complete and accurate. 
(2) The applicant has not demonstrated that 
proposed reclamation can be accomplished. 
(3) The proposed exploration activities and con-
dition of the land after the completion of exploration 
activities and final reclamation would not conform 
with the land use plan applicable to the area subject 
to mineral activities. 
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(4) The area subject to the proposed permit is 
included within an area not open to location under 
section 201. 
(5) The applicant has not demonstrated that 
the exploration plan and reclamation plan will be in 
compliance with the requirements of this Act and all 
other applicable Federal requirements, and any 
State requirements agreed to by the Secretary of the 
Interior (or Secretary of Agriculture, as appro-
priate). 
(6) The applicant has not demonstrated that 
the requirements of section 306 (relating to financial 
assurance) will be met. 
(7) The applicant is eligible to receive a permit 
under section 305. 
(e) TERM OF PERMIT.—An exploration permit shall 
be for a stated term. The term shall be no greater than 
that necessary to accomplish the proposed exploration, 
and in no case for more than 10 years. 
(f) PERMIT MODIFICATION.—During the term of an 
exploration permit the permit holder may submit an appli-
cation to modify the permit. To approve a proposed modi-
fication to the permit, the Secretary concerned shall make 
the same determinations as are required in the case of 
an original permit, except that the Secretary and the Sec-
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retary of Agriculture may specify by joint rule the extent 
to which requirements for initial exploration permits under 
this section shall apply to applications to modify an explo-
ration permit based on whether such modifications are 
deemed significant or minor. 
(g) 
TRANSFER, 
ASSIGNMENT, 
OR
SALE
OF 
RIGHTS.—(1) No transfer, assignment, or sale of rights 
granted by a permit issued under this section shall be 
made without the prior written approval of the Secretary, 
or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Ag-
riculture. 
(2) Such Secretary shall allow a person holding a per-
mit to transfer, assign, or sell rights under the permit to 
a successor, if the Secretary finds, in writing, that the suc-
cessor— 
(A) is eligible to receive a permit in accordance 
with section 304(d); 
(B) has submitted evidence of financial assur-
ance satisfactory under section 306; and 
(C) meets any other requirements specified by 
the Secretary. 
(3) The successor in interest shall assume the liability 
and reclamation responsibilities established by the existing 
permit and shall conduct the mineral activities in full com-
pliance with this Act, and the terms and conditions of the 
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permit as in effect at the time of transfer, assignment, 
or sale. 
(4) Each application for approval of a permit trans-
fer, assignment, or sale pursuant to this subsection shall 
be accompanied by a fee payable to the Secretary of the 
Interior in such amount as may be established by such 
Secretary. Such amount shall be equal to the actual or 
anticipated cost to the Secretary or the Secretary of Agri-
culture, as appropriate, of reviewing and approving or dis-
approving such transfer, assignment, or sale, as deter-
mined by the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 304. OPERATIONS PERMIT. 
(a) OPERATIONS PERMIT.—(1) Any claim holder that 
is in compliance with the general mining laws and section 
103 of this Act may apply to the Secretary, or for National 
Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture, for an 
operations permit authorizing the claim holder to carry 
out mineral activities, other than casual use, on— 
(A) any valid mining claim, valid millsite claim, 
or valid tunnel site claim; and 
(B) such additional Federal land as the Sec-
retary may determine is necessary to conduct the 
proposed mineral activities, if the operator obtains a 
right-of-way permit for use of such additional lands 
under title V of the Federal Land Policy and Man-
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agement Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761 et seq.) and 
agrees to pay all fees required under that title for 
the permit under that title. 
(2) If the Secretary decides to issue such permit, the 
permit shall include such terms and conditions as pre-
scribed by such Secretary to carry out this title. 
(b) PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.—An ap-
plication for an operations permit under this section shall 
be submitted in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary 
concerned and shall contain site characterization data, an 
operations plan, a reclamation plan, monitoring plans, 
long-term maintenance plans, to the extent necessary, and 
such documentation as necessary to ensure compliance 
with applicable Federal and State environmental laws and 
regulations. If the proposed mineral activities will be car-
ried out in conjunction with mineral activities on adjacent 
non-Federal lands, information on the location and nature 
of such operations may be required by the Secretary. 
(c) PERMIT ISSUANCE OR DENIAL.—(1) After pro-
viding for public participation pursuant to subsection (i), 
the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands, the 
Secretary of Agriculture, shall issue an operations permit 
if such Secretary makes each of the following determina-
tions in writing, and shall deny a permit if such Secretary 
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finds that the application and applicant do not fully meet 
the following requirements: 
(A) The permit application, including the site 
characterization data, operations plan, and reclama-
tion plan, are complete and accurate and sufficient 
for developing a good understanding of the antici-
pated impacts of the mineral activities and the effec-
tiveness of proposed mitigation and control. 
(B) The applicant has demonstrated that the 
proposed reclamation in the operation and reclama-
tion plan can be and is likely to be accomplished by 
the applicant and will not cause undue degradation. 
(C) The condition of the land, including the fish 
and wildlife resources and habitat contained thereon, 
after the completion of mineral activities and final 
reclamation, will conform to the land use plan appli-
cable to the area subject to mineral activities and 
are returned to a productive use. 
(D) The area subject to the proposed plan is 
open to location for the types of mineral activities 
proposed. 
(E) The proposed operation has been designed 
to prevent material damage to the hydrologic bal-
ance outside the permit area. 
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(F) The applicant will fully comply with the re-
quirements of section 306 (relating to financial as-
surance) prior to the initiation of operations. 
(G) Neither the applicant nor operator, nor any 
subsidiary, affiliate, or person controlled by or under 
common control with the applicant or operator, is in-
eligible to receive a permit under section 305. 
(H) The reclamation plan demonstrates that 10 
years following mine closure, no treatment of surface 
or ground water for carcinogens or toxins will be re-
quired to meet water quality standards at the point 
of discharge. 
(2) With respect to any activities specified in the rec-
lamation plan referred to in subsection (b) that constitutes 
a removal or remedial action under section 101 of the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), the 
Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the En-
vironmental Protection Agency prior to the issuance of an 
operations permit. The Administrator shall ensure that 
the reclamation plan does not require activities that would 
increase the costs or likelihood of removal or remedial ac-
tions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 
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et seq.) or corrective actions under the Solid Waste Dis-
posal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.). 
(d) TERM OF PERMIT; RENEWAL.— 
(1) An operations permit— 
(A) shall be for a term that is no longer 
than the shorter of— 
(i) the period necessary to accomplish 
the proposed mineral activities subject to 
the permit; and 
(ii) 20 years; and 
(B) shall be renewed for an additional 20- 
year period if the operation is in compliance 
with the requirements of this Act and other ap-
plicable law. 
(2) Failure by the operator to commence min-
eral activities within 2 years of the date scheduled 
in an operations permit shall require a modification 
of the permit if the Secretary concerned determines 
that modifications are necessary to comply with sec-
tion 201. 
(e) PERMIT MODIFICATION.— 
(1) During the term of an operations permit 
the operator may submit an application to modify 
the permit (including the operations plan or rec-
lamation plan, or both). 
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(3) The term ‘‘Federal land’’ means any land, 
including mineral interests, owned by the United 
States without regard to how the United States ac-
quired ownership of the land and without regard to 
the agency having responsibility for management 
thereof, except Indian lands. 
(4) FUND.—The term ‘‘Fund’’ means the 
Hardrock Minerals Fund established by section 402. 
(5) The term ‘‘hardrock mineral’’ means— 
(A) any mineral mined under the Mining 
Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.); and 
(B) with respect to State, Indian, and pri-
vate lands, any mineral on those lands that 
would be considered hardrock mineral under 
subparagraph (A) if such mineral had been 
mined under the Mining Law of 1872. 
(6) The term ‘‘hardrock mining operation’’ 
means— 
(A) any activity or operation conducted to 
mine a mineral under the Mining Law of 1872 
(30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.); 
(B) with respect to State, Indian, and pri-
vate lands, any activity or operation conducted 
on such lands to mine a mineral that would be 
considered hardrock mineral if such mineral 
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