Conver belts moving gravel with mining equipment in the background. .

Mining and Minerals

Mineral development is an important land use within the BLM's multiple-use mandate. In communities across the country, mining provides jobs, economic activity and important commodities that are essential to maintain a high quality of life.

Learn more about mining and minerals on BLM-managed lands.

Types of Minerals

The minerals on Federal lands are divided into three categories, each subject to different laws and regulations.  

  1. Locatable, which are subject to the Mining Law of 1872, as amended, include gold, silver, copper and other hard rock minerals.  
  2. Leasable minerals, such as coal and a host of other commodities, are subject to various Mineral Leasing Acts.
  3. Saleable minerals, such as sand and gravel that are essential to construction and road building, are subject to the Materials Act of 1947, as amended.

Mineral Development Awards

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for the 2026 Mineral Development Awards, which honors solid mineral operators who demonstrate outstanding leadership in responsible resource development. The Mineral Development Awards are presented annually by the BLM, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the National Mining Association. 

Nominations for the 2026 awards are due by April 30, 2026. More information can be found here:

News releases announcing the previous years' award winners can be found here:

Materials Access Program - Community Pits

Close up of machinery loading up specialty stone from the Bitter Seep Community Pit, in Arizona.

The Bureau of Land Management is excited to announce the launch of the Mineral Materials Access Program – Community Pits Interactive Map. This innovative tool makes it easier than ever for the public to locate and learn about Community Pits across the country. The maps are powered by data from the Mineral and Land Records System (MLRS) and integrates several supplementary geospatial datasets.