Mining Act Of 1872 Website Links For
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Mining Act Of 1872




The Mining Act of 1872 is a United States Federal Law which authorizes and governs Prospecting and Mining for Hard Rock Mineral s such as Gold and Silver in publicly owned lands without any compensation provided to taxpayers. No royalties are collected by the Federal Government. It codifies the system of acquiring mining claims on Public Land that was formed in California and Nevada in the late 1840s , 1850s , and 1860s , during periods such as the California Gold Rush .

The act was originally meant to open the west to settlement and development.

It also allows the mining companies to purchase lands rich with minerals at the 1872 price of $5 an acre. Environmental protection is not addressed by this law.

However, the Oil Industry , Coal industry and Natural Gas industry must still pay royalties.


SUBSEQUENT AMENDENTS

The acquisition of mining rights on public land in The West is mostly governed by the 1872 act. Subsequent changes to the law include:


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