Although mining can generate controversy in the West, it also has a long tradition and a legal foundation that goes back for a century and a half. But at least one Arizona congressman would like to update that law.

When conservationists battle proposed mines throughout the state, they focus much of their effort on pollution and cleanup protocols.

But these efforts can do little to stop projects.

That’s because of a mining law passed in 1872 that as one activist put it, not only allows mining but encourages it.

Congressman Raúl Grijalva has introduced legislation that would establish royalties for mineral extraction, revise cleanup costs and allow withdrawal of lands from mining.

Gage Skidmore/CC BY 2.0

Raúl Grijalva