Four Democrats on Mining Reform

wplog

Monday, Dec. 10, 2007 | 8:11 p.m.

Do you support reforming the 1872 Mining Law? If so, what does that reform look like?

Hillary Clinton

Mining is incredibly important to the West. Many reform proposals have been tried over the years, but I don’t think any president has brought all the parties together and tried to hammer out what the possible changes should be. I’m not going to prejudge it. We’ve got to maintain the importance of mining, which is a critical economic source in a lot of Western states, and we have to be conscious of all the issues around mining. I’d do what I can to reach consensus.

Barack Obama

I favor a reform. The mining industry plays an important role in Nevada’s economy. Like many in the mining industry and conservation community, I believe we need to update the Civil War-era law to require fair compensation for the use of federal land, enhance environmental protection and clean up abandoned mines that pollute fish and wildlife habitats.

It also must provide greater business certainty for mining companies and the communities that depend on the industry.

John Edwards

I know mining is hugely important to the economy of rural Nevada.

The law is old and appears to be out of date. I do think it makes sense to change it so that taxpayers get fair compensation for use of public land, but it needs to be done in a fair way and at a fair rate for big companies, and in a way that allows mining to be productive to support rural economy.

Bill Richardson

We need reform. Some of the bargain- basement prices for public land are absurd.

I think the mining industry is important. I want mining to succeed, but it has to comply with clean air, OSHA and environmental regulations. Getting less than $5 an acre, that has to change.

— Las Vegas Sun political reporters Michael J. Mishak and J. Patrick Coolican compiled this report.