Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025

Financial Assurance for Reclamation: The bill requires operators to provide bonds or other financial assurances to ensure land and water are restored after mining activities. This aims to ensure the completion of reclamation and the restoration of affected areas (Section 304(a)).

Tribal Consultation: The Act mandates active, meaningful, and timely consultation with Indian Tribes regarding mineral activities that may impact Tribal land, cultural practices, or protected rights (Section 310).

Creation of a Reclamation Fund: The establishment of the Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund provides a dedicated way to manage funds for abandoned mine land reclamation (Section 401).

Environmental Protection through Permitting: The bill requires exploration and mining permits that must include plans to avoid acid mine drainage and use best management practices (Section 302(c) and Section 303(b)).

Review of Uranium Development: The Act requires a study by the National Academy of Sciences to analyze uranium development on Federal land to ensure protection of public health, safety, and the environment (Section 505(b)).

New Fees for Claim Holders: Claim holders must pay annual maintenance fees of $200 per claim and location fees of $50 for new locations (Section 102(a)(1) and Section 102(b)(1)).

New Royalty Requirements: Production of locatable minerals will now be subject to a royalty of between 5 and 8 percent of gross income (Section 201(a)).

Increased Costs for Land Use: Operators may be required to pay land use fees for Federal land included within a mine permit area (Section 303(f)).

Strict Financial Obligations: Operators are required to provide financial assurance that covers the cost of long-term water treatment if necessary (Section 304(i)).

Potential Forfeiture of Claims: Failure to pay required maintenance fees, location fees, or perform assessment work can result in the forfeiture of a mining claim (Section 103(a)).