The "Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025" outlines its official title and includes a table of contents listing sections related to mineral leasing, environmental considerations, abandoned mine reclamation, and additional provisions such as regulations, public records, and enforcement.

This section provides definitions of key terms used in the Act, such as "Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program," "adjacent land," "affiliate," "agency," and many more, to ensure clarity and consistency in understanding the Act's provisions. It also includes references to existing laws that relate to the terms defined, offering a comprehensive framework for interpreting the Act's language.

This section describes how the Act will be applied. It states that the rules apply to existing mining claims, mill sites, or tunnel sites located before or on the Act's effective date, and also to lands involved in beneficiation or processing activities for hardrock minerals under this Act, regardless of whether they operate under a lease, license, or permit.

The section outlines regulations for closing federal land to new mining claims while addressing existing claims. It details the conditions under which current claims can continue or convert to leases, specifies timeframes, and defines fees and criteria for conversion, while allowing for certain environmental considerations.

In this section, it explains that after the effective date of the Act, the United States will not issue patents for mining claims or millsites unless a patent application was filed before September 30, 1994, and all legal requirements were met by that date. If these conditions are met, the claim holder has the right to receive the patent unless the decision is reversed by the Secretary or a U.S. court.

Federal law requires individuals to obtain a prospecting license or small miner's lease to explore for hardrock minerals on Federal land for commercial purposes. The prospecting license, which costs $10 per acre per year, allows exclusive exploration rights for up to 2 years on a maximum of 2,560 acres and can be extended for up to 4 additional years under certain conditions. Upon finding valuable mineral deposits, licensees may apply for a noncompetitive lease with a minimum royalty of 12.5% over a 20-year term, renewable if minerals are produced in paying quantities. The Secretary may reduce royalty rates to encourage production, but not below 6.25%, and impose conditions protecting land and resources.

The section explains that federal land with valuable minerals can only be used for mineral exploration or development through competitive leasing managed by the Secretary. It also mentions that these competitive leases are limited to a maximum of 2,560 acres and follow the same rules as noncompetitive leases.

The section outlines the regulations for small miner's leases, allowing qualified miners to lease up to 200 acres of federal land for three years to prospect for minerals without paying royalties. It includes details on fees, renewals, leaseholder qualifications, challenges to lease validity, and the conversion process for existing claims or when a lessee no longer qualifies as a small miner.

The section explains that when the government issues licenses or leases for land containing minerals like coal that aren't considered hardrock, it will keep the rights to those minerals. It also says that other activities on such licensed or leased lands are allowed as long as they don't disrupt the main mineral operations, and specifies that rules will be set to ensure these mixed uses can happen smoothly.

The section outlines the rules for royalty payments on the production of hardrock minerals on federal lands, including rates, responsibilities for payment, recordkeeping, and penalties for underreporting. It also specifies how revenues are distributed and includes provisions for cooperation between federal agencies to ensure compliance.

The section outlines that the holder of a mining claim, located or converted under this Act with operations starting under an approved plan before the Act's effective date, has exclusive rights to access and use the land for mining. These rights will end once mining activities are completed to the Secretary's satisfaction, while still being subject to U.S. rights and other federal laws.

For each unpatented mining claim on Federal land, a yearly maintenance fee of $200 must be paid by September 1, replacing the assessment work required by previous laws. Exceptions exist for small miners, and missing the payment results in losing the claim. Funds collected will support the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program, and all existing filing obligations remain unchanged.

The section explains that if someone pays the required maintenance fee for a claim by the deadline, they have the right to use and explore the Federal land for prospecting, as long as they follow the rules of this Act and other relevant laws.

The section outlines protections for special places, stating that no agency is allowed to permit mining activities that harm lands or resources in National Park System units, national monuments, or other critical areas like sacred sites and habitats for endangered species. Additionally, it highlights that certain areas, such as inventoried roadless regions and parts of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, are restricted from mining to preserve their environmental and cultural values.

The Secretary must determine if land is suitable for mineral activities by ensuring these activities won't harm special characteristics like water resources, historic sites, or protected habitats. Public comments are considered before making decisions, which are then included in federal land use plans. Existing mineral activities won't be affected, and people can request reconsiderations of suitability.

Agencies are required to consult with Indian Tribes before starting any mineral activities that might affect their lands, cultural areas, or legal rights. This process must align with established standards to protect tribal interests and ensure their governance and trust relations with the federal government are respected.

The section mandates that the Secretary is responsible for ensuring that any mineral activities on Federal land, which have mining claims or other authorizations, are managed to prevent unnecessary harm to the land and resources. This must be done in accordance with applicable laws and specific provisions detailed in this Act.

This section explains that individuals must obtain a permit to carry out any mineral activities on federal land that might impact the environment, such as land, air, water, or wildlife. However, permits are not necessary for activities considered to be a casual use. The process for acquiring these permits should align with the National Environmental Policy Act, and the relevant authorities are expected to coordinate their efforts as much as possible.

The bill section outlines the rules for obtaining an exploration permit to explore hardrock minerals. An applicant must submit an exploration and reclamation plan, comply with environmental laws, and meet specific eligibility criteria. Permits are limited in duration, can be modified with approval, and require prior approval for transferring, assigning, or selling rights.

The Operations Permit section outlines the requirements for obtaining a permit to conduct mineral activities on federal land. It specifies the application process, conditions for issuance or denial, permit modifications, and rules for temporary cessation, renewal, and transfer of permits while ensuring compliance with environmental laws and public participation.

Under this section, individuals or entities with current violations of laws related to toxic substances, waste, air and water quality, or wildlife conservation, or the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, cannot receive permits unless the violation is being corrected or appealed. Suspended permits can be reinstated if proof is provided that the issue is being resolved, but any pattern of willful violations also results in disqualification from receiving a permit.

The section outlines the requirement for operators to provide financial assurance, like a bond or cash, before starting mineral activities to ensure land and water restoration. This assurance amount is determined by the estimated cost of reclamation, adjusted over time, and can be released in stages once specific reclamation tasks are completed, while ensuring long-term environmental safety.

Operators must restore land used for mining to its previous state or a new beneficial use and follow specific standards set by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to minimize environmental impact. These standards include soil protection, erosion control, vegetation restoration, and water management, among others, ensuring that mining activities meet environmental and safety criteria.

This section of the bill explains how State laws that meet or exceed federal standards for reclamation, land use, environmental practices, public health, and inspections can coexist with this Act. It also allows states to form cooperative agreements with federal agencies to apply these standards to mineral activities, with opportunities for public input, ensuring federal oversight is maintained. Existing agreements must be updated to align with the new Act within a year.

The section outlines the funding sources and donation rules for the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program. It specifies that various funds, including collected moneys, fees, gifts, and donations, can be used indefinitely for the program, with the Secretary having the authority to accept or reject gifts to serve the Federal Government's best interest.

The section outlines a requirement for operators involved in mineral activities to pay a displaced material reclamation fee of 7 cents per ton, due annually by March 1st after the relevant calendar year, and to submit a notarized statement of displaced material. There are penalties for false statements and non-payment, though small miner’s leases are exempt from this fee.

The section amends existing laws to ensure mineral extraction and processing do not harm natural or cultural resources on public lands. It assigns the Secretary of Agriculture the duty to oversee these policies and improve mineral data availability for National Forest System lands.

In Section 502, the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture are allowed to charge user fees to those who must comply with the Act to cover administrative costs. The Secretary must adjust these fees every three years based on inflation using the Consumer Price Index and notify relevant holders by July 1, with changes taking effect the following calendar year.

The section outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary concerned regarding inspections and monitoring of mineral activities under a permit. It mandates regular inspections, allows individuals to request inspections if they suspect violations, and requires operators to develop monitoring systems and report their findings, with penalties for non-compliance.

Any person can start a lawsuit to enforce compliance with the law if someone is violating it or if a government official has not done their required duties. U.S. district courts handle these cases, and there are certain conditions such as giving a 60-day notice before suing, unless there is an urgent danger. However, if a government action is already under review, you can't sue again for the same issue in a different court.

The section outlines the process for challenging or reviewing decisions related to violations and penalties under a specific law. It allows individuals to request a review by the Secretary, hearings, and temporary relief, with decisions sometimes eligible for judicial review by a court, which can either affirm or reverse the previous ruling. Costs related to these proceedings may be awarded to the prevailing party if they contributed substantially to the case's outcome.

Operators conducting mineral activities on Federal or Indian land must submit an annual report to the Secretary describing the amount and value of minerals extracted, with specific details based on the land type. Failure to report can result in daily penalties, and the Secretary must also provide Congress with annual reports about these mining activities. Regulations to support these requirements must be issued by the Secretary within a year of the Act's effective date.

The section provides guidelines for enforcing environmental protection laws related to mineral activities. It describes the steps the Secretary can take to address violations, such as issuing notices, ordering cessation of activities, setting penalties for non-compliance, and taking legal action to ensure safety and environmental integrity, while also detailing penalties for false statements and unpermitted activities.

The Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture are required to create necessary regulations to carry out this Act. Additionally, within one year of the Act taking effect, they must jointly create regulations specifically impacting the Forest Service to implement titles II, III, and the relevant sections of this title.

The amendment to Section 2511(f) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 changes how oil shale claims are managed. It removes the requirement set by the Secretary and instead requires that these claims are handled in the same way as outlined in the Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025.

The section ensures that this Act does not change or override existing laws related to mining, environmental protection, federal Indian laws, or the rights of Indian Tribes. It specifies that general mining laws are superseded by this Act, but other federal laws, particularly those concerning environmental and cultural resources, remain intact and unaffected.

Under the act, copies of records, reports, inspection materials, or information obtained by the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture must be made readily available to the public both online and in central locations in areas related to mineral activities, ensuring easy access for residents, in accordance with U.S. legal requirements.

The Secretary concerned has various powers under this Act, including the ability to conduct investigations, hearings, and inspections, as well as enforce subpoenas with the help of courts. The Secretary can access and review sites and records without notice, and in some cases, inspect vehicles to ensure compliance with documentation requirements for minerals.

The section modifies existing laws related to mineral materials by clarifying disposal terms, defining "valid existing rights" for mining claims, and establishing short titles for the Surface Resources Act of 1955 and the Materials Act of 1947. It also repeals two older acts related to building stone and saline placers, subject to existing rights.

The section states that this law can be referred to as the "Surface Resources Act of 1955."

The text states that this legislative section can be referred to as the “Materials Act of 1947.”

This section states that the Act will become effective immediately when it is enacted, unless specified otherwise within the Act itself.