§410aaa–49 Study as to validity of mining claims

Summary

The Secretary must not approve any plan of operation until they determine whether the unpatented mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites inside the preserve are valid. The Secretary must send Congress recommendations about whether the United States should buy any valid or patented claims, include estimated purchase costs, and describe the environmental effects of mining those lands. Even if other laws say otherwise, the Secretary must let the holders of certain Volco mining claims listed on BLM records (CAMC 105446; 105447; 80155; 80156; 170259; 170260; 78405; 78404; 78403; 78332) continue exploration and development for two years after October 31, 1994, under the same rules that applied the day before October 31, 1994. At the end of that time, or sooner if requested, the Secretary must decide if valuable minerals were found and whether the claims would have been valid on July 1, 1994. If the answer is yes, the holders may keep operating under the July 1, 1994 rules for valid patented mining claims in a National Park System unit.