Mineral Exploration and Development Act of 2002

H.R. 4748, the Mineral Exploration and Development Act of 2002, proposes a significant update to the laws governing how minerals like gold, silver, and copper are mined on federal public lands. The bill would replace the traditional system of "patenting" (purchasing) public land for mining with a system of permits and annual maintenance fees, while also requiring mining companies to pay a royalty on the minerals they extract. For the average citizen, this legislation aims to increase federal revenue from public resources and establishes stricter environmental standards and reclamation requirements to ensure that mining companies restore the land once operations are complete. Additionally, the bill would create a dedicated fund to clean up abandoned mines, addressing long-standing safety and environmental hazards in affected communities.