Here is an example of what will happen if the Malheur wackos get their way
The 1872 Mining Law
http://www.nevermined.org/reform.shtml
The 1872 General Mining Law remains the template for the mining of nearly 500 million acres of pubic domain lands. Under the 1872 Law, miners who claim minerals on federal public lands—not public policy makers—decide when, where, and how to mine. The 1872 Law grants an absolute right to mine, but not standards for prudent mine operations, mine site cleanup, reclamation or restoration, or financial responsibility.
The 1872 Law's legacy includes 550,000 abandoned and inactive mines; 10,000 miles of degraded rivers and streams; hundreds of polluted lakes and reservoirs; and, more than 50 Superfund sites. In addition, federal-land mineral mining is unraveling billion-dollar land-management and recovery plans for forests, fish, and wildlife, although miners pay no royalties for minerals removed from federal land. Taxpayers pay the bill for cleaning up pollution and mitigating perils to human health and drinking water.
