In October 2022, Atomic Minerals Corporation acquired over 6,500 acres of public land on Harts Point in southeastern Utah, a sandstone mesa near Bears Ears National Monument. While the company didn’t actually acquire the land, it secured the right to mine it by filing 324 lode claims with the Bureau of Land Management. This was done without consulting tribal nations or obtaining permits, highlighting the archaic laws governing mineral exploration on public lands. Companies are now rushing to stake claims on public lands, including for “green metals” used in clean energy applications. Efforts are being made to update federal mining laws to address environmental concerns and ensure fair compensation.
https://www.hcn.org/issues/55.8/infographic-mining-an-antiquated-law-rules-mining-in-the-west