Mining and Mineral Leasing
Members of the firm's Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group are well-versed in the interaction between the Mining Law of 1872 and the Wilderness Act and are familiar with mountain top mining activities. We have assisted clients in preparing coal leases and are familiar with override pricing. While in government service, our attorneys authored regulations for the Bureau of Land Management concerning the procedure for leasing hard rock minerals pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act and geothermal resources. Our attorney advised Virginia's House Committee on Mining and Mineral Resources and worked on significant re-writes of Virginia's mining law, codifying a number of safety and regulatory requirements.
Sample representations include:
- Representing a major aggregates company in obtaining permits required for the operation of granite quarries. Representation included advising client in public hearings involving substantial opposition to the permits and in negotiating appropriate permit terms with regulatory agencies;
- Representing citizen groups in an administrative appeal before Interior Board of Land Appeals challenging approval of mill site for molybdenum mine;
- Conducting comprehensive environmental audits of the largest copper mining operations in the United States. Audits included mining, concentrating, leachate operations, rod-mill, and magnet-wire facilities; and
- Representing mining industry association before local zoning boards regarding transportation routes for sand and gravel operations.