“When the metal mining lobby complains about U.S. mining regulations requiring environmental protection and community input, they’re using alternative facts.
A real fact is that the United States is the only national government in the world that gives away publicly owned minerals for free, thanks to the 1872 Mining Law. As this Administration is proposing to cut Meals on Wheels, American taxpayers are giving away billions of dollars in minerals to multinational mining companies.
Another real fact is that mining industry executives believe the United States’ mining regulations are a competitive advantage relative to the rest of the world, according to the annual Fraser Institute survey. Free minerals, tax breaks, and preferential legal treatment will do that.
The sad fact is, the mining lobby is using our infrastructure needs as a ‘bait and switch’ to justify endangering our waters and disenfranchising our communities so that the mining industry can further line its pockets.”