Vedanta to exclude base metals business from sweeping demerger
The group said it will consider the base metals business demerger at a later stage.
The US government is proposing to ban mining and oil drilling in northern New Mexico for up to 50 years, as part of the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to protect Native American lands and promote responsible mining in public grounds.
According to the Department of the Interior (DOI), the proposal would ban new mining claims, as well as oil and gas development across more than 4,200 acres within the Placitas area in Sandoval County.
“We’re responding to call from Tribes, elected leaders, and community members who want to see these public lands protected,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in the statement. “We look forward to hearing more from the public to inform decisions about how activities, like gravel mining, may impact these lands, including the important cultural and natural resources.”
The announcement marks the beginning of a 90-day public comment period to gather input on the proposal.
Policymakers and local communities have long advocated for protection of the area, considered ancestral and sacred to Native Americans.
The proposed ban will affect four separate tracts, including the Buffalo Tract and the Crest of Montezuma, located northeast of Albuquerque.
The area contains “rich archaeological resources that span thousands of years of human history”, according to a document from the Bureau of Land Management. It is also popular for hiking, camping and hunting.
A report issued by the Congressional Budget Office in August concluded the area impacted by the potential ban is rich in sand and gravel, but doesn’t have enough sources of other minerals worth developing into mines.
That report also forecast the land withdrawal would result in a decrease of $2 million in federal revenue.
There are, however, numerous mines and prospects in Sandoval county, with the area recording exploitable or exploited minerals such as graphite, gold, silver, uranium, lead, and copper.
Last week, the DOI announced it planned to change a 151-year-old law governing mining for copper, gold and other minerals on public lands. The modifications would include making companies for the first time pay royalties on what they extract.
The DOI-led committee also recommended the creation of a mine leasing system and coordination of permitting efforts among a range of federal agencies.
9 Comments
Doug
The arrogance of the most corrupt regime in US history never ceases to amaze. Pretending it knows the needs of the next two generations. It doesn’t know the needs of the American people today.
Jade Garcia
To the person below if we keep being greedy and taking not just protected lands but now public there will be no future to preserve. Online in bayard NM one of many first mining towns. Since inhale livedbin Albuquerque close to the turquoise mines which had to be shimut down cause ppl were TAKING. I think that if we continue there will be no future or history left to show or educate everyone if we want to keep our planet. We have to live with the our land not against it. Recognize
Yanny
Jade – Here is a fact: If you can’t farm it, you’re going to have to mine it!
I bet you have a phone and a car which uses lithium batteries – that would be lithium from a mine!
Your phone uses precious metals from… wait for it… a mine!
I bet you drive on roads – those materials are mined, sourced from the soil!
Drink water? probably from a well underground!
Jade is also mined!
The device you used to comment here contains “mined metals!”
The past and future of this planet include mining whether you like it or not – GROW A BRAIN STEM!
Lucian
Sorry, but it’s not “native american land.” Its the United State of New Mexico.
Angela Loeffler
Isn’t that rich, coming from the same government who now wants to mine lithium out of Oregon and Utah, wonder if that’s native land too? All the land is native land, not just the parts the government stuck them on, how bout we use that in an argument. Then they turn around and tell you that mining for silver and gold is ok and they have public land you can get from them and their own claim rules, “ROYALTIES”. WHY WOULD I PAY ROYALTIES TO THE GOVERNMENT ON PUBLIC LAND MINE CLAIMS, CAUSE PUBLIC LAND IS THE LAND THE GOVERNMENT CALLS FEDERAL LAND HENCE BELONGS TO GOVERNMENT NOT THE PUBLIC. What we need to do is get rid of federal government all together. Start treating each other with respect.
Patrick Goranson
I am a conservative and definitely not a Biden fan but it really bugs me when headlines are so misleading. They make it sound like the are banning mining in the entire state when they are really talking about measly 4200 acres here…6.5 square miles. A small strip of land 6.5 miles long by 1 mile wide.
THOMAS LAHMAN
I have discovered a “sure-fire” way of determining if any government proposal is likely to be damaging to this nation: if Pedo Joe supports it RUN!
Kimberly
When are people going to ask whose side he’s on? He certainly isn’t on our side.
David Hurlbert
If it’s protecting sacred lands then I’m all for it. Transparency is priceless in these decisions