The Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining argues that the 1872 General Mining Law is outdated and fails to protect taxpayers and public lands. The law allows companies to extract billions in hardrock minerals without paying royalties, while cleanup costs from abandoned mines burden the public. Pew calls for reforms to ensure fair compensation, environmental safeguards, and protection of water sources, wildlife habitats, tribal lands, and national parks amid a renewed mining rush in the American West.