New rental rates are now in effect for state mining claims, leasehold locations, prospecting sites, and mining leases in Alaska. The new rental rates became effective on August 30, 2019, and thus are applicable to the rental year that commenced on
Mineral Law
Insight and Information on the Oil, Gas, Pipeline, & Mining Industries
The Mineral Law blog published by Stoel Rives LLP focuses on legal issues related to mineral extraction and development, including regulatory compliance, permitting processes, and legislative developments affecting mining operations. It covers federal and state policies impacting mineral production, such as executive orders aimed at expediting permitting for critical mineral projects and tax legislation relevant to resource industries. The blog also addresses environmental and safety regulations, labor and employment matters within mining contexts, and the intersection of mineral law with energy and infrastructure projects. It provides updates on legal challenges, administrative rulings, and industry trends that influence mineral law practice and resource development strategies.
Latest from Mineral Law - Page 5
BLM Increases Required Fees for Mining Claims, Sets September 3 Deadline for Annual Filings
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has increased location and maintenance fees for mining claims on federal lands. The new location fee is $40, and the new maintenance fee is $165 per lode mining claim or site and $165 for…
National Park Service Regulations Do Not Apply to Inholdings in Alaska
Alaska is different—it has moose hunters on hovercrafts, many large national parks, and certain unique federal laws. Last week the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that National Park Service laws and regulations of general applicability do not apply to inholdings…
Earthquake Disrupts Mining Filings and Payments: What You Need to Know
The 2018 deadline to record affidavits of labor and pay rental on State of Alaska mining claims was disrupted by a 7.0 earthquake near Anchorage at 8:29 a.m. on Friday, November 30. As a result of the earthquake, the Department…
How Will Alaska Pay its Rebatable Production Tax Credits?
Alaska’s rebatable production tax credit program was created by state legislators to be an incentive for explorers and small producers to invest in oil and gas exploration and production in the state but was hurt by its own success when…
The Battle Over the Alaska Oil and Gas Production Tax Credit
Alaska’s oil and gas production tax has been subject to continuing debate and change as lawmakers and policymakers struggle with balancing budgets in times of volatile oil prices while also encouraging the investment necessary to monetize the state’s resources to…
Trump’s BLM Cannot Delay Implementation of Oil and Gas Methane Rules after Effective Date
On October 4, 2017, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California held that the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) cannot postpone implementation of natural gas methane emission rules because such action would violate the Administrative Procedure…
Sage-Grouse: Short Flight for Pending 10 Million-Acre Withdrawal from General Mining Law?
By Eric Martin
Secretary of the Interior Zinke has directed that the Bureau of Land Management immediately begin implementing the recommendations in his Sage-Grouse Review Team’s report, which was was released today, concerning the 2015 greater sage-grouse amendments to federal land use…
U.S. Court of Appeals Upholds MSHA’s Right to Obtain Personnel Records from Mine Operators
On July 18, in Hopkins County Coal, LLC v. Perez, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an opinion upholding two citations and an order issued to a mine operator, Hopkins County Coal, for its refusal to…
Federal Bill Proposes Streamlined Pipeline Permitting, Vesting Authority in FERC
On July 19, 2017, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) increased autonomy over pipeline approvals. The bill, Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act (H.R. 2910),…