Federal lands, which comprise nearly 700 million acres of this country’s mineral estate, play a significant role in supplying present and future mineral resource needs. Access to federal lands for mineral exploration and development is critical to maintaining a strong domestic mining industry.

Most federal lands are located in 12 western states, which are the source of much of our nation’s mineral endowment. As a result, national policy affecting the availability and use of federal lands for resource development has significant implications for whether or not these important resources are available to meet the nation’s needs.