July 25, 2022

Dear Tribal Leader:
The Department of the Interior has launched an interagency working group on reforming hardrock mining laws, regulations, and permitting policies in the United States. The group will help support President Biden’s vision for a whole-of-government effort to promote the sustainable and responsible domestic production of critical minerals. At each step, the group is committed to hearing from Tribal governments. Considering the legacy of the impacts of mining on many Tribal communities, and impacts anticipated from new mining, the protection of treaty rights, sacred sites, and upholding the trust responsibility are important parts of this work.

Hardrock mining on public lands — which includes gold, silver, copper, uranium, lithium, and nearly all critical minerals — is still governed by the General Mining Law of 1872. The working group will make recommendations for updates and reforms necessary to ensure that new exploration and production meets strong environmental and Tribal engagement standards during all stages of mine development, from initial exploration through reclamation, while improving the efficiency and outcomes of the permitting process, consistent with the newly released Biden-Harris Administration’s Fundamental Principles for Domestic Mining Reform.

We are greatly interested in input from Tribal leaders and are hosting the following listening sessions in August:

• Tuesday, August 2, 2022
  5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EDT
  https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/j/1603128203
  or
  Dial in #: # 1-669-254-5252
  Meeting ID: 160 312 8203
  Passcode: 633577
• Wednesday, August 10, 2022
  3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT
  https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/j/1603128203
  or
  # 1-669-254-5252
  Meeting ID: 160 601 1633
  Passcode: 918825
• Monday, August 15, 2022
  11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT
  https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/j/1601658829
  or
  Dial in #: 1-669-254-5252
  Meeting ID: 160 165 8829
  Passcode: 147194

We also are convening formal Tribal consultations during the month of August:

• Alaska Time Zone
  Thursday, August 25, 2022, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. AKDT
  Please register in advance at: https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscO6prTguGqKtmC59OdFNasGneYAQUEg
• Eastern and Central Time Zones
  Friday, August 26, 2022, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT / 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CDT
  Please register in advance at:
  https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcuioqz4tEzc5ldP3vOZhHMzrwrrOy5g
• Mountain Daylight Time Zone
  Monday August 29, 2022, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. MDT
  Please register in advance at:
  https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsce6vrjwrHcnG1v3M9rxC9rWhBL9EMzA
• Pacific and Mountain Standard Time Zones
  Tuesday, August 30, 2022, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT
  Please register in advance at:
  https://doitalent.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItd-uqrzwvGzVtE_vxngyLrwojI44oKJM

If you have any written input you would like to provide, please send to MiningReform@ios.doi.gov, or submit comments to Regulations.gov (Docket DOI-2022-0003) by September 15 to ensure timely consideration.

If you have any questions, please contact, Joaquin Gallegos, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs at joaquin_gallegos@ios.doi.gov, or Alexandra Sanchez, Special Assistant, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management at Alexandra-Sanchez@ios.doi.gov.

Sincerely,

Steve Feldgus
Deputy Assistant Secretary
Land and Minerals Management