Minerals

The Draft RMP/EIS makes allocation decisions regarding mineral entry and exploration on BLM-managed lands. These sections are divided into locatables, fluid minerals, nonenergy solid leasable minerals, and mineral materials.

• Locatables. Locatable minerals are minerals for which the right to explore, develop, and extract mineral resources is established by the staking of mining claims under the General Mining Law of 1872). The General Mining Law, as amended, describes locatable minerals as: minerals which include both metallic minerals (gold, silver, lead, copper, zinc, nickel) and nonmetallic minerals (fluorspar, mica, certain limestones and gypsum, tantalum, heavy minerals in placer form, and gemstones). Minerals, which are normally locatable on federal lands, found on lands acquired (purchased or received) under the Acquired Lands Act of 1947 by the United States or found on American Indian reservations are subject to lease only (43 CFR 3500 entire sequence).

• Fluid minerals. Fluid leasable minerals include oil, gas, coalbed natural gas, and geothermal resources. Exploration and production of these minerals on BLM-managed lands may only occur on leases acquired by competitive leasing.

• Non energy solid leasable minerals. The BLM leases certain solid minerals such as phosphate, sodium, potassium, sulphur, and gilsonite on public and other Federal lands. The BLM issues prospecting permits under 43 CFR 3505.

• Mineral materials. Mineral materials include common varieties of sand, stone, gravel, pumice, pumicite, clay, rock, and petrified wood. The major Federal law governing mineral materials is the Materials Act of 1947 (July 31, 1947), as amended (30 U.S. Code 601 et seq.). This law authorizes the BLM to sell mineral materials at fair market value and to grant free-use permits for mineral materials to Government agencies. It also allows the BLM to issue free-use permits for a limited amount of material to nonprofit organizations.

Locatables:

Alternative A has 6,773,000 acres open to mineral entry, Alternative B opens 10,879,000 acres; Alternative C1 opens 12,184,000 acres; Alternatives C2 and D open 13,083,000 acres.

Fluid Mineral Leasing:

Alternative A has 4,888,000 acres open to leasing and development, Alternative B has 8,120,000 acres open (2,254,000 acres subject to no surface occupancy), Alternative C1 has 11,510,000 acres open (1,360,000 acres subject to no surface occupancy stipulations and 1,495,000 acres are subject to controlled surface use stipulations), Alternative C2 and Alternative D have 12,824,000 acres open.

Non energy solid leasable minerals:

Alternative A has 4,901,000 acres open to leasing and development, Alternative B has 7,249,000 acres open, Alternative C1 has 11,507,000 acres open, and Alternative C2 and Alternative D have 12,824,000 acres open.

Mineral materials:

Alternative A has 12,817,000 acres open to mineral materials disposal, Alternative B has 8,042,000 acres open, Alternative C1 has 11,618,000 acres open, Alternative C2 has 12,079,000 acres open, and Alternative D has 12,824,000 acres open.

Further information about the range of alternatives can be found here (Chapter 2, Alternatives of the Central Yukon RMP/EIS).

In addition to the effects analysis in Chapter 3, the following Appendices provide additional information or management actions related to mineral entry and explorations (see Appendix N, Reasonable Foreseeable Development Scenario for the Central Yukon Field Office Planning Area; Appendix S, Social and Economic Conditions; Appendix F, Standard Operating Procedures and Fluid Mineral Leasing Stipulations; Appendix L, Reclamation Requirements for All Surface-Disturbing Activities).

Maps for minerals are Map 2-56 through Map 2-75, see Appendix A, Maps, of the Central Yukon Draft RMP/EIS.

Next Station: Lands and Realty

For more information on the Draft RMP/EIS or to submit comments, please visit the BLM’s NEPA Register website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/35315/510.

For more information, contact Chel Ethun at (907) 474-2253.