Representative Fernández Proposes Mineral Royalty Legislation

The bill mandates 5% to 10% royalty fees on hardrock mining to support states, tribes, and environmental cleanup efforts.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in National Parks

A wide, elevated view of an open-pit mine with deep concentric terraces and exposed rock strata under bright, clear daylight. — U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández has introduced legislation to mandate royalty fees of 5% to 10% on gross income from hardrock mining. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should mining companies pay royalties for extracting minerals from public lands?

U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández introduced legislation requiring mining companies to pay royalties of 5% to 10% on gross income. The proposed bill also aims to restrict mineral extraction by foreign adversaries within the United States.

Why it matters

The legislation is designed to generate public revenue from mineral extraction while addressing environmental hazards. It provides a dedicated funding stream for the remediation of abandoned mines across the country.

The proposed legislation establishes royalty fees between 5% and 10% on gross income from hardrock mineral extraction. These funds are slated for distribution to states, tribes, and the remediation of abandoned mines on public lands.

The players

Teresa Leger Fernández

Teresa Leger Fernández is a U.S. Representative who represents New Mexico's 3rd congressional district.

The details

The bill includes provisions to restrict foreign adversaries from extracting minerals within the United States. Additionally, the legislation sits alongside a separate effort by New Mexico's congressional delegation to ban uranium mining in the Chama Watershed.

Representative Teresa Leger Fernández announced the legislation on October 29, 2026.

Travel Outlook

The bill marks a significant departure from the General Mining Act of 1872 by finally imposing royalty fees on hardrock mining operations. This shift reflects a broader policy change regarding how public lands are managed and monetized.

This legislation could shift the economic landscape for mining-dependent areas and impact federal revenue allocations for public land maintenance. Residents near mining sites may see changes in local industrial activity as new royalty and foreign-entity restrictions are implemented.

The takeaway

This proposal highlights a growing congressional effort to modernize the regulation of mineral extraction on public lands. Stakeholders should monitor committee progress to see how these royalties might be structured for future industry compliance.