The section provides the short title and table of contents for the "Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act of 2025". It outlines the structure of the Act, which includes several titles focused on topics such as locatable mineral deposits, royalties, mineral activities, reclamation funds, and various administrative provisions.

This section defines key terms used in the Act related to mineral activities on federal and Indian lands, including terms like "applicant," "beneficiation," "casual use," "claim holder," and "locatable mineral." It explains the roles of the Secretary and other officials, as well as what constitutes land, minerals, and activities under this legislation.

The section defines limitations on the issuance of patents for mining claims, millsites, or tunnel sites, stating that no patent will be issued unless an application was filed by September 30, 1994, and all legal requirements were met. It also notes that the right to a patent is revoked if the determinations are withdrawn or invalidated, and it repeals a related section of the Revised Statutes.

The section outlines the fee requirements for holders of unpatented mining claims, millsites, or tunnel sites, including a yearly maintenance fee of $200, with specific provisions for waivers and adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. It also introduces a $50 location fee for new claims and describes the use of collected funds for program operations, while ensuring compliance with existing land management laws.

In this section, if a claim holder does not meet certain requirements, like doing proper work on or paying fees for a mining claim or filing necessary documents, their claim will be automatically lost and considered invalid. Additionally, if someone decides to give up their claim, they must inform the Secretary and are still responsible for any obligations. Any mining claim can only be used for activities related to minerals, and failure to do so can lead to the Secretary declaring the claim invalid.

The section explains that mining operations on federal land must pay a royalty between 5% and 8% on the income from minerals, unless they have an existing permit that was in place when the law was enacted. Royalties collected will be added to the Fund.

The section allows the Secretary to lower or reduce the royalties that a mining operation is required to pay, but only if clear and convincing evidence is provided to show that production wouldn't happen without the reduction. Any reduction in royalties will only take effect 60 days after the Secretary announces it publicly and informs the relevant Senate and House committees, explaining why the reduction is being granted.

The text outlines the responsibilities and rules related to the enforcement of mineral extraction laws on federal lands. It describes duties for the Secretary and claim holders, requirements for payment and recordkeeping, penalties for non-compliance or false reporting, and details on cooperative agreements, interest on late payments, and both civil and criminal penalties. Additionally, it provides directives for audits, hearings, and investigations to ensure adherence to these regulations.

The Review section requires the Secretary to conduct a review every 5 years and report to Congress on how the collections from royalties and fees related to mining are managed. The report will cover topics such as total annual revenues from different types of fees, how these funds are used, the program's effectiveness in dealing with abandoned mines, the impact on mining activities, and any suggestions for changes to laws about fee collection.

In Section 301 of the bill, it states that individuals must obtain a permit to perform mining activities on Federal land that might disturb the environment, such as land and wildlife, unless the activities are minor and don't need one. The section also explains that the requirement for a permit doesn't change other legal rules about mining claims and should align with the National Environmental Policy Act's processes as much as possible.

An exploration permit is required for exploration activities on Federal land that go beyond casual use, and these permits do not allow for mineral removal for sale, but only for exploration or reclamation activities. To obtain a permit, applicants must submit detailed plans demonstrating compliance with laws and regulations, financial assurances, and potential impact assessments. The Secretary will approve or deny permits based on compliance with applicable laws, and may modify permits if necessary, following a consultation process involving public notice and, possibly, hearings.

A mining permit is required for conducting mineral activities on federal land, except for casual use or exploration, and to obtain one, a person must submit a detailed application, including plans for operations, reclamation, and compliance with environmental laws. The Secretary can approve or deny the permit based on compliance with laws and regulations, set conditions, and allow for modifications or temporary halts in operations; operators must also pay land use fees and follow interim management plans during any cessation of activities.

The section outlines the requirements for financial assurances that operators must provide before starting mineral activities to guarantee land and water reclamation. It details how these assurances should be maintained, reviewed, and adjusted, includes conditions under which they can be reduced or released, and requires a report on the effectiveness and sufficiency of such assurances.

The Secretary can approve the transfer, assignment, or sale of an exploration or mining permit only if the new owner agrees in writing to take over all responsibilities and liabilities, including financial assurance requirements. The original owner remains liable for other legal or permit obligations.

The section outlines rules for restoring land affected by mining activities, mandating that operators return areas to their previous or other beneficial conditions. It also requires reclamation to happen alongside mining operations whenever possible, restricts mineral activities to prevent land degradation, and ensures compliance with existing laws through coordinated regulations by relevant federal authorities.

The section amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to expand the review process for certain public lands to determine if they should be closed to mining and other mineral activities. It allows officials to petition for these reviews and outlines the steps for possibly removing land from mining operations under the Mining Law of 1872 if deemed necessary.

State laws that set standards or requirements for things like reclamation, environmental protection, public health, bonding, or inspections, which meet or go beyond the requirements of this federal Act, are allowed and not seen as conflicting with the Act.

The section outlines the requirements for inspections and monitoring of mineral activities to ensure they comply with the relevant laws. It specifies the frequency of inspections and mandates operators to maintain a system to monitor compliance and submit the necessary reports.

The section outlines the requirement for the Secretary to actively and meaningfully consult with Indian Tribes before starting any mineral activities that might affect their lands, resources, cultural practices, or government services. This consultation is necessary to respect the rights and responsibilities the Federal Government has towards Indian Tribes, as established by a specific Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation.

The section establishes the "Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund" in the U.S. Treasury, which will receive money from various sources, such as appropriations, collections, and donations, to be invested in government securities. The fund's money is managed by the Secretary through the Bureau of Land Management to be used for infrastructure and other related projects, with appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2026 and beyond.

The section imposes a reclamation fee on operators of hardrock mineral mines, ranging from 1% to 3% of the production value each year, with the fee to be paid within 60 days after the year ends. The collected fees are deposited into a specific fund, and the section does not affect any similar state fees.

The section outlines the rules for transitioning under a new mining-related law. It specifies that the law's requirements will apply to mining claims and sites before, on, or after its enactment, and details exceptions for preexisting claims. It mandates that operations comply with the new law within ten years, and that all fees be applicable immediately upon enactment. The section also clarifies that the law applies to both federally and non-federally owned minerals used in specific activities on federal land.

The section outlines the enforcement measures for violations related to surface management or operation requirements, including issuing notices for violations and orders to stop mineral activities when there is a danger to public health or the environment. It also describes civil penalties and possible legal actions against violators, as well as criminal penalties for making false statements or engaging in mineral activities without a permit.

The section explains that any final actions by the Secretary connected to making rules under the Act can only be challenged in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, with a deadline for filing such challenges within 60 days. Final agency actions not covered by this rule can be reviewed in U.S. district courts, following specific legal procedures.

The section changes how uncommon mineral varieties are defined and disposed of under U.S. law. It specifies the conditions under which deposits of these materials can be disposed of and updates certain legal terms to align with another existing law, the Materials Act of 1947.

The section discusses that common types of mineral materials do not fall under a particular deposit category, implying they are treated differently from more rare or valuable minerals.

The section requires a review and study of uranium development on Federal land to ensure it's regulated effectively and safely. Findings and recommendations from this study will be provided to government leaders, who will then have to decide how to implement them while considering public health, safety, and environmental protection.

The section preserves existing laws and protections related to mining and the environment. It emphasizes that the Act does not change pre-existing laws or environmental assessments, and it overrides general mining laws only where expressly stated, while allowing Federal or State agencies to continue their investigations independently.