Mining companies operating on public lands are required to pay royalties under the Mining Law of 1872.

Companies that mine hard rock minerals (such as gold, silver, and copper) from public lands are obligated to pay royalties to the federal government under the Mining Law of 1872. In exchange for the mining of rich minerals from public lands, these royalties are paid. In contrast to other nations, royalties are not required as much, and the 1872 law does not specifically require levies for environmental impact taxes, land reclamation, or other mining-related expenses. There have been requests to amend the statute throughout time to incorporate increased royalty rates as well as additional expenses related to reclamation and the environment.