Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act of 2022

This bill addresses mineral leasing, exploration, and development on federal land. For example, the bill

• prohibits the issuance of a patent for certain mining or millsite claims;
• establishes a permitting and leasing system for hardrock mining;
• establishes a 12.5% royalty on new mining operations and an 8% royalty on existing operations, with an exemption for small miners;
• protects special places, such as wilderness study areas, roadless areas, and wild and scenic rivers, from hardrock mining activity;
• requires consultation prior to undertaking any mineral activities that may have a substantial direct impact on the lands or interests of Indian tribes;
• establishes an environmental standard for mining activities to ensure that mining activities prevent undue degradation of public lands and resources;
• prescribes requirements for the exploration permit process and for operations permits, including financial assurances; and
• authorizes the Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund to be used for responding to hazardous substance releases on abandoned hardrock mine land, including efforts to reclaim the land.