AEMA Commends Decision Regarding Mill Sites
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kenna O’Neill — koneill@miningamerica.org
The American Exploration & Mining Association released the following statement regarding today's D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision affirming the lower court's determination that the Mining Law does not place a strict restriction on the number of mill sites permissible for ancillary purposes.
“Today’s decision from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is a tremendous victory for the mining industry and for AEMA, which has long fought to protect rights under the Mining Law so critical to our members’ ability to responsibly produce the minerals needed for modern society and our national defense,” said Mark Compton, Executive Director of the American Exploration & Mining Association. “The majority opinion noted the statutory provisions in the Mining Law are clear, and the appellants’ reading of it was ‘strained.’ AEMA is proud to intervene in this case in defense of the Department of the Interior regulations, and we will continue to fight on behalf of our members and the mining industry.”
Background: In October 2020, a decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Earthworks et al. vs. U.S. Department of the Interior et al., reaffirmed rights under the Mining Law and protected the rights of miners to explore, develop and operate on federal lands.
In the case, which dates back to 2009, the two primary claims of significant concern to our members and the industry were plaintiffs' challenges to BLM’s 2008 Mining Claim Rule and 2003 Mill Site Rules. AEMA intervened in defense of the Department of the Interior regulations. Upon appeal, plaintiffs dropped their challenge to the 2008 Mining Claim Rule.
About AEMA: American Exploration & Mining Association is a 129 year old, 1,800 member, national association representing the minerals industry. With members in 46 states, AEMA is the recognized national voice for exploration, the junior mining sector, maintaining access to public lands, and represents the entire mining life cycle, from exploration through production to reclamation and closure.