FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kenna O’Neill — koneill@miningamerica.org
The American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) released the following statement upon Friday’s filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming of a coalition challenge to the final BLM Conservation and Landscape Health Rule:
“The BLM’s Conservation and Landscape Health rule is illegal, unnecessary, and contrary to numerous policy goals of the Biden administration and Congress,” said American Exploration & Mining Association Executive Director Mark Compton. “Our risky reliance on imported minerals is a direct result of five decades of ignoring Congress’ clear directives that minerals should be mined from public lands to help satisfy the Nation’s need for minerals. The Biden administration’s own goals of fighting climate change and reducing carbon emissions require more domestic mining – not less. The rule significantly changes the way BLM manages the 245 million acres of public land it oversees, to the detriment of America’s mineral and energy independence goals and resource dependent rural communities that produce the fiber, food, minerals, and energy America requires from its public lands. Make no mistake, our members are strong supporters of conservation, not only for public lands but all of the country’s resources, and are ready to work with the BLM to further advance these goals. However, this will not be accomplished by the flawed and illegal provisions in this rule. We expressed these and many other concerns to the BLM, but our concerns were ignored. We’re left with no choice but litigation at this point.”
AEMA was joined in filing the lawsuit by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Forest Resource Council, the American Petroleum Institute, the American Sheep Industry Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Mining Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Public Lands Council, the Western Energy Alliance, the Natrona County Farm and Ranch Bureau, and the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation.
About AEMA: American Exploration & Mining Association is a 129 year old, 1,800 member, national association representing the minerals industry. With members in 46 states, AEMA is the recognized national voice for exploration, the junior mining sector, maintaining access to public lands, and represents the entire mining life cycle, from exploration through production to reclamation and closure.