This book, the result of a congressionally mandated study, examines the adequacy of the regulatory framework for mining of hardrock mineralsâ€"such as gold, silver, copper, and uraniumâ€"on over 350 million acres of federal lands in the western United States. These lands are managed by two agenciesâ€"the Bureau of Land Management in the Department of the Interior, and the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture. The committee concludes that the complex network of state and federal laws that regulate hardrock mining on federal lands is generally effective in providing environmental protection, but improvements are needed in the way the laws are implemented and some regulatory gaps need to be addressed. The book makes specific recommendations for improvement, including: The development of an enhanced information management system and a more efficient process to review new mining proposals and issue permits. Changes to regulations that would require all mining operations, other than "casual use" activities that negligibly disturb the environment, to provide financial assurances for eventual site cleanup. Changes to regulations that would require all mining and milling operations (other than casual use) to submit operating plans in advance.

The Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) of the U. S. Department of Energy commissioned the National Research Council (NRC) to undertake a study on required technologies for the Mining Industries of the Future Program to complement information provided to the program by the National Mining Association. Subsequently, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also became a sponsor of this study, and the Statement of Task was expanded to include health and safety. The overall objectives of this study are: (a) to review available information on the U.S. mining industry; (b) to identify critical research and development needs related to the exploration, mining, and processing of coal, minerals, and metals; and (c) to examine the federal contribution to research and development in mining processes.

This book brings together perspectives from economics, specifically minerals economics, to the management of global mining companies. It covers volatile price forecasting, cost analysis, investment decisions, and the social, environmental, and developmental impacts of mining.

GOLD MINING IN THE 1990's--This one book outlines EVERYTHING a beginner will need & want to know about getting started at gold mining today, either as a hobby or as a small-scale commercial activity. In easy to understand language, supported by clear photographs & graphic demonstrations, this book covers all of the important subjects--including what gold is & looks like, where it comes from & where to find it, how gold deposits & how to find & recover it, & also touches on the legal aspects of how to claim the gold for yourself. The book covers the up-to-date mining procedures of panning gold, sluicing, dredging, high-banking, drywashing, electronic probing, hardrock mining, basic refining techniques, cleaning procedures, selling gold, & much, much more. Herein lies the most comprehensive & thorough work on electronic prospecting techniques (locating gold with metal detectors) available in any publication on the market today. Virtually an encyclopedia of modern gold mining techniques, there is no other book available more up to date, more simple to understand, or which covers the entire subject as thoroughly as this manual.