DOI Hardrock Mining Listening Sessions and Consultations
2022-08-25 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
July 25, 2022
Dear Tribal Leader:
The Department of the Interior has launched an interagency working group on reforming hardrock mining laws, regulations, and permitting policies in the United States. The group will help support President Biden’s vision for a whole-of-government effort to promote the sustainable and responsible domestic production of critical minerals. At each step, the group is committed to hearing from Tribal governments. Considering the legacy of the impacts of mining on many Tribal communities, and impacts anticipated from new mining, the protection of treaty rights, sacred sites, and upholding the trust responsibility are important parts of this work.
Hardrock mining on public lands — which includes gold, silver, copper, uranium, lithium, and nearly all critical minerals — is still governed by the General Mining Law of 1872. The working group will make recommendations for updates and reforms necessary to ensure that new exploration and production meets strong environmental and Tribal engagement standards during all stages of mine development, from initial exploration through reclamation, while improving the efficiency and outcomes of the permitting process, consistent with the newly released Biden-Harris Administration’s Fundamental Principles for Domestic Mining Reform.
We are greatly interested in input from Tribal leaders and are hosting the following listening sessions in August:

Tuesday, August 2, 2022
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EDT
https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/j/1603128203
or
Dial in #: # 1-669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 312 8203
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT
https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/j/1603128203
or
# 1-669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 601 1633
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Monday, August 15, 2022
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT
https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/j/1601658829
or
Dial in #: 1-669-254-5252
Meeting ID: 160 165 8829
Passcode: [REDACTED]

We also are convening formal Tribal consultations during the month of August:

Alaska Time Zone
Thursday, August 25, 2022, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. AKDT
Please register in advance at: https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscO6prTguGqKtmC59OdFNasGneYAQUEg
Eastern and Central Time Zones
Friday, August 26, 2022, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT / 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CDT
Please register in advance at:
https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcuioqz4tEzc5ldP3vOZhHMzrwrrOy5g
Mountain Daylight Time Zone
Monday August 29, 2022, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. MDT
Please register in advance at:
https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsce6vrjwrHcnG1v3M9rxC9rWhBL9EMzA
Pacific and Mountain Standard Time Zones
Tuesday, August 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT
Please register in advance at:
https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItd-uqrzwvGzVtE_vxngyLrwojI44oKJM

If you have any written input you would like to provide, please send to MiningReform@ios.doi.gov, or submit comments to Regulations.gov (Docket DOI-2022-0003) by September 15 to ensure timely consideration.
If you have any questions, please contact, Joaquin Gallegos, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs at joaquin_gallegos@ios.doi.gov, or Alexandra Sanchez, Special Assistant, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management at Alexandra-Sanchez@ios.doi.gov.
Sincerely,
Steve Feldgus
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Land and Minerals Management
