Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025

The Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025 fundamentally changes hardrock mining regulations on Federal land. It closes all Federal land to new mining claims under the general mining laws, requires new permits for exploration and operations, and establishes new royalty rates for mineral production. The bill creates a financial assurance requirement for reclamation costs and directs revenues to fund the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program. It also establishes a small miner's lease program with lower fees and no royalties for qualifying small-scale operators.