You'd think he'd be kinda busy with that whole health care thing, but US Sen.
has apparently found time to
reform the mining industry
, too. To be fair, Bingaman introduced the bill in April, but it wasn't until yesterday that he
in US Sen.
, D-Colorado.
What's unique about the bill is that it would assess
2 to 5 percent royalties
for hardrock (gold, platinum, uranium) mining on public lands; the proceeds would be deposited into a reclamation fund. It also allows for
stricter fees and permit processes
. It doesn't sound like a lot—read Bingaman's description of the bill
—but no telling what effect it'll have on the
around Grants, N.M. For more on that, check out
by New Mexico Sen.
, D-Cibola, in today's
Cibola Beacon
. A preview, after the jump...
Especially if we can squeeze some royalties out of it!
Santa Fe Reporter