Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill changes how companies mine for minerals like gold, silver, and copper on federal land. It stops the government from selling public land to mining companies and instead requires companies to pay for the right to use the land while keeping it in public hands.
• For the first time, mining companies would have to pay the government a portion of the money they make from minerals found on public land. This 'royalty' would be between 5% and 8% of their total income from those minerals, similar to how oil and gas companies pay to operate.
• The bill creates a special fund to clean up old, abandoned mines that are currently polluting the environment. To pay for this, mining operations would be charged an extra fee of 1% to 3% on the value of everything they produce.
• Companies would be required to get official permits and prove they have enough money set aside to fix any damage to the land or water. This ensures that if a company goes out of business, taxpayers are not stuck paying for the environmental cleanup.
• Government agencies would be required to have meaningful conversations with Native American Tribes before allowing any mining that might affect their traditional lands, water rights, or cultural sites.