Hardrock Mining - Re-think; Reform

This is 100% missinformation. Although you have a lofty goal. What you are doing is lieing to people who don't know any better.

BTW, what you are advocating will keep the large commercial mines in operation.  Not shut them down.

Small scale mining is a very well regulated right granted to all of us.

You can't still buy land from the government, you can only claim the minerals. The government still owns the land and has the authority to make sure you put up bond for reclamation for when you are done.

Hardrock can be nasty on a large scale, so every effort should be made to keep exposed material from contaminating watersheds etc. But its not like they get land or the right to mine for nothing.

Protect Our Mining legacy it's our history. Recreational mining is alive and well. Protect the small miner to mine. And protect abondon mines, stamp mills and being Bulldozed over by the Government and green extremists who want to destroy these historical sites.

I love hiking and camping, and I'm also about to start a hard rock mine! I agree that there should be some reform. I think mining claims should only be available to U.S. companies and citizens. Mining should also be encouraged. It is very good for the economy. When mineral resources are developed it creates wealth, which provides a benefit to everyone. Some reform has already taken place, for instance, you can no longer buy (patent) the land, you can only lease (claim) the land.

W also are having difficulty with a Canadian company want 12,000 acres of the National Forest in Arizona. Good luck.

Individuals should be allowed to mine - there is only so much damage a person or several people can do, compared to industrial mining that uses toxic methods and massive machines to scar the earth for the benefits of the few. People should be allowed to mine responsibly for personal and family benefit - we need more serious restrictions when dealing with massive amounts of materials being moved. I find harvesting useful items more interesting than riding around AND I do it respecting the earth.

Having said that, I also disagree with individuals who are destructive and use toxic methods to harvest - and they should be held accountable, just as big companies that are destructive should be. At the same time I also respect big companies that are environmentally conscious and minimally intrusive and non-polluting in their processes.

But we don't need big companies, they are generally the worst culprits and many 'regulations' simply prevent you or I to do the things BIG companies can find ways to do even with a law to prevent abuse. Laws generally serve the law makers and the rich, not the individuals. Big companies tend to amass more for the few, under the guise that they 'create' employment, etc - if people spent their time mining for themselves, they would share in the bounty that the rich horde for themselves.

if its not grown its mined
what you are doing is throwing the public off public lands and making the restrictions so tight only large mining companies are able to meet the restrictions then pay off you lame ass greenies for the right to mine. there is more to the outdoors than yuppy sports
like the video said we are smarter now and a miner cant do what was done 150 years ago. do you realize just how much mercury and lead is pulled from streams each year by suction dredgers?

terrific footage!