Abandoned Mine Lands

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The Bureau of Land Management’s Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) program enhances public safety and improves water quality by reducing or eliminating the effects of past hardrock mining in the western United States. 

BLM maintains an inventory of known abandoned mine lands on public lands. Most of the sites are abandoned hardrock mines. As of December 31, 2009, the inventory contained 25,281 sites and 65,976 features. Approximately 20% of the sites have either been remediated, have reclamation actions planned or underway, or do not require further action.  The remaining 80% require further investigation and/or remediation. 

The BLM and its partners are working on sharing and displaying AML spatial data within a National Mine Land Inventory.  Go to www.geocommunicator.gov to view spatial data.   

BLM and its “Cooperative Conservation” partners mitigate hazards to protect public health and safety, and restore watersheds for resources, recreation, fish, and wildlife. The AML program helps restore the environment and improve safety for visitors and users of public lands.

Within the BLM, the AML program coordinates projects with the BLM's Hazardous Materials Management program.  Many AML sites have hazardous material features that need to be remediated.

BLM and Partners Launch "Fix A Shaft Today (FAST)!" Campaign

The Bureau of Land Management is launching a new campaign to mitigate and remediate abandoned mine land physical safety hazards specifically targeting AML sites located in the southwest desert states.  While the FAST Campaign is in the early stages, state agencies in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah have expressed interest and support.  Plans are to invite members of the mining and offf-highway vehicle industries, volunteer and other non-government organizations to participate. 

January 13, 2010 - The BLM is accepting nominations for the 2010 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards.  More details are available here.  The deadline for submitting nominations is extended until March 19, 2010. 

October 28, 2009 - The BLM's 2009 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Award presentation.  The inaugural Fix A Shaft Today! (FAST!) Award was presented to the Abandoned Mine Lands Unit, California Department of Conservation and the Nevada Operating Engineers Union, Joint Apprenticeship Committee for Northern Nevada.  More details are available here.  The BLM AML Program thanks our valued partners!

February 17, 2009 - The BLM's AML program receives $29,750,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funding.  Click here for more information.

July 3, 2008 -- New AML Web Portal Launched.  The BLM, along with partnering Federal and State agencies, today launched a new web portal designed to provide a broad overview of abandoned mine lands, their impacts, and what is being done to address them.  Visit www.abandonedmines.gov.

April 21, 2008 - Washington, DC.

BLM and Partners Recognized by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne for two Cooperative Conservation Abandoned Mine Lands Projects in Colorado. Representatives of the Animas River Stakeholders Group (below top) and the Milsap Mill Tailings (below bottom) partners are acknowledged by Secretary Kempthorne. Click the below images to view the press releases. 
 

Sink Hole Appears in Desert -  April 15, 2008 article from the Emery County Progress newspaer on an upcoming project being addressed through the Fix A Shaft Today (FAST)! campaign.  

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