ELKO, Nev. — A mining reform bill similar to one that passed the U.S. House last year but failed to get out of the Senate has been reintroduced in the House.

In addition to rewriting the Mining Law of 1872, the measure would impose royalties on the hard-rock mining industry.

“Given our current economic crisis and the empty state of our national treasury, it is ludicrous to be allowing this outmoded law to continue to exempt these lucrative mining activities from paying a fair return to the American people,” said Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., the chairman of the House Resource Committee who introduced the bill on Tuesday.

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