# 2025-00700: Government Blocks Nevada Mining for Clays You've Never Heard Of

2025-00700, Proposed Withdrawal and Public Meeting for the Amargosa Valley, Nevada, is a Federal Register notice from an unnamed agency published 2025-01-15, effective 2025-01-15 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-00700
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-00700
- Title: Proposed Withdrawal and Public Meeting for the Amargosa Valley, Nevada
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: unknown
- Citation: unknown
- Published: 2025-01-15
- Effective: 2025-01-15
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Government Blocks Nevada Mining for Clays You've Never Heard Of

## Summary

The government wants to protect 308,890 acres of land in Amargosa Valley, Nevada, by stopping new mining and leasing for 20 years, but current mining rights stay safe. This affects miners, local communities, and anyone interested in the land’s future. You’ve got until April 15, 2025, to share your thoughts, and there’s a public meeting on February 27 to join the conversation!

## Abstract

The Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw 308,890 acres of Federal lands located in Nye County, Nevada, from location and entry under the United States mining laws, and from leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights. The area also includes approximately 40,000 acres, more or less, of non-Federal lands that would be subject to the withdrawal if they are subsequently acquired by the United States. The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is to protect the cultural, recreational, and biological resources of these lands. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years from location and entry under the United States mining laws and leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. The lands will remain open to disposal under the mineral materials laws. This notice initiates a 90-day public comment period and announces a public meeting on the proposed withdrawal, including input related to ongoing mining activities for sepiolite, saponite, and bentonite within the study area related to projected development of valid existing rights.

## Effects PRIA read

- 20-Year Mining and Leasing Withdrawal: cost, medium. The Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw 308,890 acres in Amargosa Valley, Nevada from location and entry under U.S. mining laws and from mineral and geothermal leasing for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights.
- Immediate 2-Year Segregation Period: cost, medium. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the listed lands for up to 2 years from mining claims and leasing; this segregation is effective from publication and remains until January 15, 2027 unless the application is denied, canceled, or the withdrawal is approved earlier.
- Existing Mining Rights and Ongoing Operations Preserved: benefit, medium. The proposed withdrawal is subject to valid existing rights, and the notice explicitly invites input related to ongoing mining activities for sepiolite, saponite, and bentonite within the study area; temporary licenses or permits that don't significantly impact protected values may be allowed durin…
- Non-Federal Lands Could Be Included: cost, low. About 40,000 acres of non-Federal land within the described area would become subject to the withdrawal only if those lands are later acquired by the United States.
- Public Comment Period and Meeting Opportunity: benefit, low. The BLM is taking public comments for 90 days with a deadline of April 15, 2025, and will hold a public meeting on February 27, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time at the Amargosa Community Center, 1640 E. Amargosa Farm Road, Amargosa Valley, NV 89020.

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## Sources
- [2025-00700 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/15/2025-00700/proposed-withdrawal-and-public-meeting-for-the-amargosa-valley-nevada)
- [2025-00700 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-15/pdf/2025-00700.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-00700 (as of 2026-06-08).