MMSA is pleased to report that the House of Representatives approved the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act by voice vote on December 10, 2024, following a unanimous congressional approval in July 2024. Upon clearing this final hurdle, the legislation now moves to President Biden’s desk for signature.
This “Good Sam” legislation focuses on 15 pilot hardrock Abandoned Mine Land (AML) projects and provides limited liability protection to mining companies, conservation groups, state agencies, or other interested parties facilitating these projects. Any group, person or company can have had no role in creating pre-regulation era abandoned mine sites in order to qualify for participation in partnerships formed to address these 15 pilot projects.
MMSA has worked closely with the National Mining Association (NMA), American Exploration & Mining Association, multiple state agencies and associations, the conservation community (Trout Unlimited has been a steadfast contributor) in developing and hosting AML Summits across the west which have been instrumental in advancing dialogue, partnerships, and legislation strategies especially toward this recent legislation. MMSA has also been a strong partner with NMA and AEMA on this issue for over 30 years.
MMSA would like to thank participants, speakers, partners, and organizers who have assisted MMSA with its AML Summits across the west and looks forward to continued participation in future events.
Mark your calendar for the 2025 MMSA AML Summit to be held in Leadville, Colorado this summer.
MMSA is a non-profit association of mineral resource professionals whose members represent all facets of the minerals industry, both domestic and international.