Abstract

Section 2 of the 1964 Act of Congress creating the Public Land Law Review Commission states:

Because the public land laws of the United States have developed over a long period of years through a series of Acts of Congress which are not fully correlated with each other and because those laws, or some of them, may be inadequate to meet the current and future needs of the American people and because administration of the public lands and the laws relating thereto has been divided among several agencies of the Federal Government, it is necessary to have a comprehensive review of those laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and to determine whether and to what extent revisions thereof are necessary.

The mining law of 1872 as amended, will be one of the land laws to be considered in the study of the Public Land Law Review Commission. Those who do not understand the problems of the mining industry may urge a drastic revision of the mining laws or their repeal and provision made for leasing mineral lands rather than locating mining claims. Any abuses under the mining laws certainly will be used by those seeking the public lands for other purposes as arguments for their drastic revision or repeal. Because these mining laws encourage the continued exploration of the public domain, it is not in the best interest of the Nation that they be drastically revised or repealed. Enacting amendments strengthening the mining laws resulting from constructive suggestions of the mining industry would improve these basically sound laws and will be an effective way of opposing the unsound proposals of those who would drastically revise or repeal them.

Unless otherwise stated, the suggested amendments to the mining laws commented on in this article are the personal views of the author and have not been approved by the American Mining Congress or any other group in the mining industry. It is hoped that this article will make those who are not acquainted with the problems of the mining industry aware of the importance of continuing the basic principles of the mining laws and will encourage those acquainted with the problems of the mining industry to consider proposals for, amendments to strengthen the mining laws.

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