The Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining works with a diverse group of stakeholders to reclaim our public lands for future generations. Its goals for 1872 mining law reform include the following:

• Protect national parks, forests and watersheds. Not all public land is appropriate for mineral extraction. Mining should not be allowed in or around national parks and monuments, national forest roadless areas or where it threatens rivers and streams, watersheds or other valuable fish and wildlife habitat.
• Compensate taxpayers. Metal mining’s special entitlement to take gold, uranium and other metals from public land at minimal cost should be replaced with a system of royalty payments comparable to those currently charged to extract oil, gas and coal from public lands. Royalty revenues should fund the cleanup of abandoned mines.
• Set strong health, environmental and cleanup standards. Metal mining has emitted more toxic pollutants than any other industry and has contributed to the contamination of more than 40 percent of western watersheds.  The industry should be required to meet the same environmental and cleanup standards as other sectors and should help pay for the legacy of abandoned mines.
• End the “giveaway” of public land. The current system gives any individual or corporation–including those that are foreign-owned–the right to file claims and take title to public land. The “forced sale” or patenting provisions of the Mining Law should be stricken.
• Respect local communities. Mining can have a tremendous impact on the economy and environment of towns, cities and counties. State and local officials and the communities they represent should have a voice.