MINING AND MINERAL RESOURCES

Amendments

Arizona: facilitate efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land (H.R. 1904), H7100, H7102, H7104, H7106 [26OC]

Articles and editorials

Bill To Launch 1,000-Plus Jobs, H7040 [25OC]

Mining and the Canyon, H5406 [25JY]

Republicans Should Quit Trying To Roll Back Uranium Mining Moratorium, H5406 [25JY]

Bills and resolutions

Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund: transfer excess funds to the United Mine Workers of America pension plan (see S. 621), S1826 [17MR] (see H.R. 1365), H2326 [5AP]

Alaska: exempt national forest lands from the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (see S. 1357), S4554 [13JY] (see H.R. 2526), H5018 [13JY]

Arizona: facilitate efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land (see H.R. 1904), H3301 [13MY]

———facilitate efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land (H.R. 1904), consideration (see H. Res. 444), H7007 [24OC]

———preserve multiple use land management policy relative to uranium mining (see S. 1690), S6461 [12OC] (see H.R. 3155), H6853 [12OC]

———withdraw certain Federal lands and interests in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties from mining and mineral leasing laws (see H.R. 1989), H3644 (see H.R. 1989), H3682 [25MY]

———withdraw Tusayan Ranger District and BLM-managed Federal land in the vicinity of Kanab Creek and in House Rock Valley from location, entry, and patent under mining laws (see H.R. 855), H1454 [1MR]

BLM: provide for leasing of Federal lands for uranium mining (see H.R. 1452), H2569 [8AP]

———provide small miner waivers from claim maintenance fees for a period of time after written receipt of defects is provided to the claimant to cure defects or pay the claim maintenance fee (see S. 303), S629 [8FE] (see H.R. 442), H470 [25JA]

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement: conduct a technological capability assessment, survey, and economic feasibility study on recovery of minerals from shallow and deep seabeds (see H.R. 2803), H5895 [5AU]

Bureau of Reclamation: remedy problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, CO (see S. 1047), S3224 [23MY]

Business and industry: reestablish competitive production industries, processing, refining, purification, metals production and alloying, and magnet production relative to domestic rare earths (see H.R. 1388), H2409 [6AP]

Clark County, NV: provide for conveyance of certain Federal land for environmental remediation and reclamation of the Three Kids Mine Project Site (see S. 1492), S5250 [2AU] (see H.R. 2512), H5018 [13JY]

———withdraw Sloan Hills area from location, entry, and patent under mining laws and disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials (see S. 427), S1060 [1MR] (see H.R. 856), H1454 [1MR]

Dept. of Energy: develop a rare earth materials program and amend the National Materials Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act (see H.R. 618), H679 [10FE]

———develop an energy critical elements program, a rare earth materials program, and amend the National Materials Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act (see H.R. 952), H1619 [8MR]

———promote mapping and development of U.S. geothermal resources by establishing a direct loan program for high risk geothermal exploration wells (see S. 1142), S3428 [26MY]

Dept. of Justice: improve compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program for workers involved in uranium mining (see S. 791), S2387 [12AP] (see H.R. 1490), H2603 [12AP]

Dept. of the Interior: assess U.S. capability to meet current and future demands for minerals critical to manufacturing competitiveness and economic and national security (see H.R. 2011), H3754 [26MY]

———authorize conveyance of mineral rights in Montana (see S. 647), S1827 [17MR] (see H.R. 1158), H1982 [17MR]

———conduct a global rare earth element assessment (see H.R. 1314), H2265 [1AP]

———conduct onshore oil and gas lease sales through Internet-based live lease sales (see H.R. 2752), H5884 [1AU]

———ensure timely review of BLM notices before appearance in the Federal Register in order to streamline energy development permitting process (see S. 1844), S7367 [10NO]

———establish offices and positions on energy, minerals, ocean energy and safety, and natural resources revenue and abolish the Minerals Management Service (see H.R. 3404), H7577 [14NO]

———establish onshore oil and gas production goals, repeal production barriers, improve lease issuance, expedite judicial review, report on public land revenues, and encourage oil shale exploration (see S. 1027), S3170 [19MY]

———limit authority to issue regulations before a certain date under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (see H.R. 3409), H7577 [14NO]

———prohibit the leasing of any area of the Outer Continental Shelf for the exploration, development, or production of oil, gas, or any other mineral (see H.R. 261), H141 [11JA]

———provide with a mechanism to cancel contracts for the sale of Soledad Canyon, CA, mining contracts (see S. 759), S2266 [7AP]

———reform management of energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (see S. 917), S2777 [9MY]

———set clear rules for development of U.S. oil shale resources and promote shale technology research and development (see H.R. 3408), H7577 [14NO]

EPA: clarify and confirm authority to deny or restrict the use of a defined area as a dredged or fill material disposal site (see S. 272), S543 [3FE]

———clarify authority to disapprove specifications of dredged or fill material disposal sites and clarify procedure under which a higher review of specifications may be requested (see S. 468), S1218 [3MR] (see H.R. 960), H1619 [8MR]

———eliminate authority to deny or restrict the use of a defined area as a dredged or fill material disposal site (see H.R. 517), H509 [26JA]

———remove authority to retroactively disapprove permits to discharge dredged or fill material into navigable waters that have been issued by the Corps of Engineeers (see H.R. 457), H507 [26JA]

Land use: authorize certified States and tribes to use Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund amounts for certain reclamation projects and extend certain mine reclamation liability protections (see S. 1455), S5191 [1AU]

———clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have authority to use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects (see H.R. 785), H1177 (see H.R. 785), H1197 [17FE]

———clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have authority to use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects and acid mine remediation programs (see S. 897), S2731 [5MY]

Montana: withdraw Federal land on North Fork watershed located in the vicinity of Flathead National Forest from location, entry, and patent under mining laws (see S. 233), S359 [31JA]

Occupational safety and health: improve mine safety practices and compliance in order to prevent mine accidents (see H.R. 3697), H9925 [16DE]

Power resources: expand domestic fossil fuel production, develop more nuclear power, and expand renewable electricity (see H.R. 909), H1573 [3MR]

———improve assessments of, and research about, energy critical elements (see H.R. 2090), H3985 [2JN]

———require portion of sales, bonuses, royalties, and rentals from new mineral and geothermal lease authority be paid to States to be used for education (see H.R. 3235), H6976 [14OC]

Safe Drinking Water Act: repeal exemption for hydraulic fracturing (see S. 587), S1677 [15MR]

Safety: improve occupational safety law compliance, empower workers to raise concerns, prevent workplace tragedies, and establish rights for workplace accident victims and families (see S. 153), S126 [25JA] (see H.R. 1579), H2910 [15AP]

Soda Ash Royalty Reduction Act: extend reduced royalty rate for soda ash (see S. 1144), S3497 [6JN] (see H.R. 1192), H1984 [17MR]

States: limit liabilty for reclamation work performed under an approved State abandoned mine reclamation plan (see S. 1003), S2992 [16MY]

Strategic materials: establish the Rare Earth Policy Task Force and direct the Dept. of the Interior to develop a plan to ensure the long-term supply of rare earth materials (see H.R. 2184), H4276 [15JN]

———promote domestic production of critical minerals and materials (see S. 383), S870 [17FE] (see S. 1113), S3427 [26MY]

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act: terminate payments to certified States (see H.R. 3739), H10013 [20DE]

Taxation: repeal percentage depletion allowance for certain hardrock mines and use resulting revenues for deficit reduction (see S. 26), S122 [25JA]

Utah: authorize a land exchange between the Ute Indian Tribe and the State Institutional Trust Land Administration (see H.R. 1053), H1768 [11MR]

Water pollution: clarify that fill material cannot be comprised of waste (see H.R. 1375), H2327 [5AP]

West Virginia: allow the operation of certain vehicles for the hauling of coal and coal by-products on Interstate Route 77 in Kanawha County (see H.R. 2323), H4526 [23JN]

———honor coal miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch Mine-South, extend condolences to families, recognize hardships and risks faced by miners, and commend mine tragedy rescuers (see S. Res. 129), S2087 [4AP] (see H. Res. 199), H2266 [1AP]

Letters

China's use of a value-added tax rebate to promote its soda ash industry: several Members of Congress, S3500 [6JN]

Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Reform and Modernization Act: Representative Bachus, Committee on Financial Services (House), H8866 [13DE]

———Representative Camp, Committee on Ways and Means (House), H8866 [13DE]

———Representative Hall, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (House), H8865 [13DE]

———Representative Issa, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (House), H8866 [13DE]

———Representative Lamar Smith, Committee on the Judiciary (House), H8865 [13DE]

———Representative Mica, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House), H8865 [13DE]

———Representative Ros-Lehtinen, Committee on Foreign Affairs (House), H8865, H8866 [13DE]

Northern Arizona Mining Continuity Act: several Members of Congress, S6464 [12OC]

Peruvian Government treatment of Renco Group, Inc., subsidiary Doe Run Peru: Representative Payne, E215 [11FE]

Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act: Harrison Talgo, Sr., H7103 [26OC]

Motions

Arizona: facilitate efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land (H.R. 1904), H7110 [26OC]

Remarks in House

Arizona: exempt Native American sacred and cultural sites from proposal to facilitate efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land, H7039, H7041 [25OC], H7093, H7103, H7104 [26OC]

———facilitate efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land (H.R. 1904), H7090-H7112 [26OC], H7152 [27OC], E1960 [27OC], E2258 [14DE]

———facilitate efficient extraction of mineral resources in southeast Arizona by authorizing and directing an exchange of Federal and non-Federal land (H.R. 1904), motion to recommit, H7110, H7111 [26OC]

———prohibit conveyance of any Federal land to a company or affiliate connected with the Iran Foreign Investment Co., H7110, H7111 [26OC], E2258 [14DE]

———require local Resolution Copper Mining (company) operations, local hiring priority, and domestic processing, use, and equipment used relative to southeast Arizona mining, H7093, H7106, H7107 [26OC]

———require Resolution Copper Mining (company) royalty payment on all locatable minerals produced in commercial quantities from conveyed southeast Arizona Federal land, H7093, H7096, H7105, H7106 [26OC]

BLM: leasing of Federal lands near Grand Canyon National Park for uranium mining, H5403-H5408 [25JY]

Brookwood, AL: anniversary of Jim Walter Resources No. 5 mine explosions, E1683 [22SE]

Dept. of Defense: submit report on feasibility of recycling rare earth elements, H3705 [26MY]

Dept. of Energy: prohibit funding for loan guarantees for carbon capture and sequestration projects, H5077, H5078 [14JY]

———require that funding for loan guarantees for advanced nuclear energy facilities be equal to or exceed those for carbon capture and sequestration projects, H5076, H5077 [14JY]

Dept. of the Interior: limit authority to issue regulations before a certain date under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (H.R. 3409), H7641 [16NO]

———Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation and Enforcement funding for stream buffer rule implementation, H1279, H1280 [18FE], H4686 [7JY]

———prohibit the leasing of any area of the Outer Continental Shelf for the exploration, development, or production of oil, gas, or any other mineral (H.R. 261), E416 [3MR]

Economy: impact of endangered species listings on employment, H3209 [11MY]

EPA: clarify application of particulate matter produced from mining activities to Clean Air Act regulations, H8286 [8DE]

———coal combustion waste regulation funding, H1319, H1320 [18FE], E251 [16FE]

———eliminate authority to deny or restrict the use of a defined area as a dredged or fill material disposal site, E1319 [14JY]

———ensure regulation of particulate matter includes regulation of cadmium, lead, and asbestos, H8294, H8295 [8DE]

———ensure that the term nuisance dust does not include particulate matter containing arsenic or other heavy metals hazardous to human health, H8285 [8DE]

———prohibit funding to retroactively disapprove Corps of Engineers permits to discharge dredged or fill material into navigable waters, H1318, H1319 [18FE]

———remove authority to retroactively disapprove permits to discharge dredged or fill material into navigable waters that have been issued by the Corps of Engineeers, H648 [10FE]

———surface coal mining regulation funding, H1313 [18FE]

Land use: authorize certified States and tribes to use Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund amounts for certain reclamation projects and extend certain mine reclamation liability protections, E2325 [20DE]

``Last Mountain'': screening of documentary on battle between large coal corporations and local citizens over impact of mining practices in West Virginia, E1813 [11OC]

Marcellus Shale Caucus: convene, H2515 [7AP]

National Miner's Day: observance, E2189 [6DE]

Natural gas: Marcellus shale drilling for reserves, H2514-H2521 [7AP], H3012 [4MY], H3209 [11MY], H7216 [2NO]

Nuclear weapons: expand sanctions on individuals who transfer to Iran, Syria, or North Korea equipment or technology relevant to mining or milling uranium or support other proliferation activities (H.R. 2105), H8859-H8870 [13DE], H8978 [15DE], E2262 [14DE]

Power resources: expand domestic fossil fuel production, develop more nuclear power, and expand renewable electricity (H.R. 909), H1801 [15MR]

Public lands: clarify application of National Environmental Policy Act regulations relative to congressionally authorized land exchanges, H7097, H7099 [26OC]

Safety: improve mine and occupational safety law compliance, empower workers to raise concerns, prevent workplace tragedies, and establish rights for workplace accident victims and families, E1683 [22SE]

———improve occupational safety law compliance, empower workers to raise concerns, prevent workplace tragedies, and establish rights for workplace accident victims and families, H2295, H2296, H2299 [5AP], H8191 [7DE]

Strategic materials: establish the Rare Earth Policy Task Force and direct the Dept. of the Interior to develop a plan to ensure the long-term supply of rare earth materials (H.R. 2184), E1099 [15JN]

United Mine Workers of America: release of report on Massey Energy Co., Upper Big Branch Mine-South disaster, H7211 [2NO]

West Virginia: honor coal miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch Mine-South, extend condolences to families, recognize hardships and risks faced by miners, and commend mine tragedy rescuers, H2295, H2296, H2299 [5AP]

———report on investigation of the Upper Big Branch Mine-South disaster, H3917 [2JN]

Remarks in Senate

Alaska: exempt national forest lands from the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (S. 1357), S4558 [13JY]

Arizona: preserve multiple use land management policy relative to uranium mining (S. 1690), S6464 [12OC]

BLM: provide small miner waivers from claim maintenance fees for a period of time after written receipt of defects is provided to the claimant to cure defects or pay the claim maintenance fee (S. 303), S631 [8FE]

Bureau of Reclamation: remedy problems caused by a collapsed drainage tunnel in Leadville, CO (S. 1047), S3227 [23MY]

Clark County, NV: provide for conveyance of certain Federal land for environmental remediation and reclamation of the Three Kids Mine Project Site (S. 1492), S5262 [2AU]

Dept. of Defense: address issues relative to receipt of revenue from mineral exploration on military installations, S8061 [30NO]

Dept. of Justice: improve compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program for workers involved in uranium mining (S. 791), S2393 [12AP]

Dept. of the Interior: establish onshore oil and gas production goals, repeal production barriers, improve lease issuance, expedite judicial review, report on public land revenues, and encourage oil shale exploration (S. 1027), S6298 [6OC]

———provide with a mechanism to cancel contracts for the sale of Soledad Canyon, CA, mining contracts (S. 759), S2269 [7AP]

———reform management of energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (S. 917), S2785 [9MY], S2823 [10MY]

El Salvador: condemn violence against anti-mining activists at El Dorado gold mine in Cabanas, S4515 [12JY]

EPA: clarify and confirm authority to deny or restrict the use of a defined area as a dredged or fill material disposal site (S. 272), S3082 [18MY], S4433 [7JY]

Land use: clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have authority to use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects and acid mine remediation programs (S. 897), S2737 [5MY], S7091 [2NO]

Middlesboro, KY: rescue of coal miners trapped as a result of flooding, S3940 [21JN]

———support for coal miners trapped as a result of flooding, S3906 [20JN]

National Miner's Day: observance, S8368, S8369 [6DE]

Soda Ash Royalty Reduction Act: extend reduced royalty rate for soda ash (S. 1144), S3499 [6JN]

Strategic materials: promote domestic production of critical minerals and materials (S. 383), S883 [17FE]

———settlement agreement reached for payment of compensation and fines surrounding Upper Big Branch Mine-South disaster, S8368 [6DE]

Reports filed

Clarify That Uncertified States and Indian Tribes Have Authority To Use Payments for Noncoal Reclamation Projects and Acid Mine Remediation Programs: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 897) (S. Rept. 112-63), S5338 [6SE]

Consideration of H.R. 1904, Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 444) (H. Rept. 112-258), H7007 [24OC]

Montana Mineral Conveyance Act: Committee on Natural Resources (House) (H.R. 1158) (H. Rept. 112-299), H8074 [1DE]

National Strategic and Critical Minerals Policy Act: Committee on Natural Resources (House) (H.R. 2011) (H. Rept. 112-248), H6975 [14OC]

Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act: Committee on Natural Resources (House) (H.R. 1904) (H. Rept. 112-246), H6975 [14OC]

Technological Capability Assessment, Survey, and Economic Feasibility Study on Recovery of Minerals From Shallow and Deep Seabeds: Committee on Natural Resources (House) (H.R. 2803) (H. Rept. 112-302), H8074 [1DE]

Resolutions by organizations

Exempt Native American sacred and cultural sites from proposal to extract mineral resources in southeast Arizona exchange of Federal and non-Federal land: All Indian Pueblo Council, H7095 [26OC]

———Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, Inc., H7094 [26OC]

———Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, H7094 [26OC]

———National Congress of American Indians, H7094 [26OC]

Statements

Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Reform and Modernization Act: Representative Ros-Lehtinen, Committee on Foreign Affairs (House) and Representative Hall, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (House), H8866 [13DE]

Texts of

H. Res. 444, consideration of H.R. 1904, Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act, H7036 [25OC]

H.R. 1904, Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act, H7100-H7102 [26OC]

H.R. 2105, Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Reform and Modernization Act, H8859-H8864 [13DE]

S. 26, Elimination of Double Subsidies for the Hardrock Mining Industry Act, S143 [25JA]

S. 383, Critical Minerals and Materials Promotion Act, S883 [17FE]

S. 427, Sloan Hills Withdrawal Act, S1061 [1MR]

S. 468, Mining Jobs Protection Act, S1221 [3MR]

S. 897, clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have authority to use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects and acid mine remediation programs, S2737 [5MY], S7092 [2NO]

S. 917, Outer Continental Shelf Reform Act, S2785-S2793 [9MY]

S. 1047, Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel Act, S3228 [23MY]

S. 1492, Three Kids Mine Remediation and Reclamation Act, S5262 [2AU]

S. Res. 129, honor West Virginia coal miners who perished in the Upper Big Branch Mine-South, extend condolences to families, recognize hardships and risks faced by miners, and commend mine tragedy rescuers, S2092 [4AP], S2142 [5AP]