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.

Explore America’s Critical Mineral Resources

Discover critical mineral and rare earth element resources through the BLM’s interactive Critical Minerals Screening Tool. View mineral occurrences alongside mining claims, infrastructure, energy facilities, and other land use information to support exploration, planning, and informed resource management.

2026 Mineral Development Award Winners

On October 5, 2026, the BLM announced the winners of the 2026 Mineral Development Awards. The awards recognize hardrock mineral operators for strong reclamation, community partnership and responsible development on public lands.

The 2026 Mineral Development Award winners are:

  • Hardrock Mineral Leadership Award: Nevada Gold Mines, for reclamation at the Rain Mine in Nevada.
  • Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award: Alaska Resource Education, for community outreach and public education about mining.
  • Hardrock Mineral Small Operator Award: Valdez Creek Mining, for removing 230 tons of solid waste and derelict equipment left by earlier operators at Valdez and White creeks in Alaska.
  • Mine Legacy Steward Award: American Gilsonite Company, for reclaiming legacy mining disturbance at the Cowboy Mine in Utah.

A call for nominations for the 2027 awards will be published in the spring of 2027.

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 recently launched 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.