AEMA Director Announces Mining Law Victory

SPOKANE, WA - Mark Compton, Executive Director of the American Exploration and Mining Association, reported, “As attested by the onslaught of campaign advertising, the 2020 election season is nearly over. We all know elections have consequences, so if you haven’t already voted please make sure to do so by Election Day. This election, with control of the White House and the U.S. Senate at stake, will be consequential for the mining industry. Regardless of the outcome, AEMA stands ready to strongly advocate for you.

Beyond our work on your behalf in the legislative and regulatory arenas, litigation continues to be a significant threat to individual mining projects and to our industry as a whole, and AEMA is focused on defending the mining industry in the judicial arena, as well.

Just this week, I’m pleased to announce the mining industry received a significant victory in a long-anticipated decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that reaffirms pre-discovery rights under the Mining Law and protects the rights of miners to explore, develop and operate on federal lands.

In the case, Earthworks et al. vs. U.S. Department of the Interior et al., (which dates back to 2009), the two primary claims of significant concern to our members and the industry were Plaintiffs challenges to BLM’s 2008 Mining Claim Rule and 2003 Mill Site Rules. AEMA intervened in defense of the Department of the Interior regulations.

This week’s ruling, from a D.C. District Court judge appointed by President Obama, was a tremendous victory for the mining industry and for AEMA, which has long fought to protect pre-discovery rights that are so critical to our members.

You will have an opportunity to learn much more about this case and many other issues affecting the U.S. mining industry during AEMA’s upcoming virtual Annual Meeting. Until we are able to meet again in person, we are hard at work developing a program and format that will make the most of our virtual capabilities to bring added value to our members. I look forward to “seeing” you there.”

American Exploration & Mining Association, 16201 E Indiana Ave, Suite 3280, Spokane Valley, WA 99216.