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U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resources Revenue Data wordmark with oil platform rig pulling up a dollar sign

Nonenergy Minerals

The General Mining Act of 1872 regulates gold, silver, cinnabar, copper, and “other valuable deposits.” Despite some amendments, this legislation still governs extraction of many nonenergy minerals, in particular hardrock locatable minerals on federal public domain lands.

The Minerals Leasing Act of 1920 limited the scope of the 1872 Act, providing different regulations for energy-producing minerals such as coal, oil, and natural gas. The Acquired Lands Mineral Leasing Act of 1947 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 govern mining on acquired lands.

Managed and regulated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) manages some monetary transactions.

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Plan
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Claim
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Explore
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Develop
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Decommission and reclaim
Rates and fees
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Get involved

Participate in the hardrock mineral leasing process.

Join a Resource Advisory Council. BLM formed Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) in the western U.S. to provide advice on managing public lands and resources. Join your local RAC.

Volunteer. Find opportunities in your area or create a BLM partnership.

Contact a local BLM office. BLM has 12 state and regional field offices, mostly in the western U.S. Find your state office for details about land-use policies in your area.

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