Obtaining permits to mine on federal lands could improve under Stauber-sponsored proposal

U.S. Pete Stauber (R-MN) on Sept. 20 sponsored legislation that would make the permitting process for mining on federal lands a lot better for mining companies.

“Our current permitting process fails to deliver our domestic resources and is abused by keep-it-in-the-ground activists who oppose mining solely on ideological grounds,” Rep. Stauber said on Tuesday. “Let’s pass my commonsense legislation and get shovels in the ground while protecting our environment.”

Rep. Stauber introduced the Permitting for Mining Needs (PERMIT-MN) Act of 2022, H.R. 8928, with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR). The bill would set time limits on federal environmental reviews aimed at creating certainty on permitting timelines, and would limit “frivolous, last-second litigation,” according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Stauber’s staff.

“The PERMIT-MN Act empowers our mining community nationwide,” said Rep. Stauber. “There is no justification to allow decades of litigation and permitting to get a legitimate mining project started.” 

H.R. 8928 also would authorize memorandums of agreement between project sponsors, states, and tribes at early stages and designate a lead agency to coordinate reviews to maximize efficiency, the summary says.

The National Mining Association, the American Exploration & Mining Association, and the Uranium Producers of America support the bill.