Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation (AHMR/AML) Grants

Objective

The U.S. Department of the Interior has been authorized to establish an Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation (AHMR) Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This program is separate and not inclusive of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s (OSMRE) Abandoned Mine Lands Program. Over the decades, extractive industry activities have left behind a number of underground and aboveground mines and features that pose physical safety hazards and have degraded the environment impacting local communities. The program provides project grants to assist States, U.S. Territories, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments with mitigating the physical safety and contaminant risks associated with hardrock, non-coal abandoned mine sites and features. The AHMR Program's outcomes include enhancing public safety and improving water, soil, and air quality by reducing or eliminating the physical safety of past hardrock mining activities on State, Tribal, and private lands.

Who Can Apply

• State
• Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments
• U.S. Territories and possessions

States, U.S. Territories, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments with non-coal abandoned mine lands are eligible. Hardrock AML sites that are being addressed through other programs, including but not limited to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund Program [e.g., removal actions and National Priorities List (NPL) sites], the U.S. Department of Energy Defense-Related Uranium Mines (DRUM) program, or sites already funded by the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation’s (OMSRE) Abandoned Mine Lands program grants are not eligible for this grant.

Who Benefits

• Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments
• Rural
• Low Income
• Unemployed
• Anyone/general public
• Minority group
• State
• U.S. Territories

The public will directly benefit from the activities conducted under this program. Benefits will include reclamation and remediation of sites to return lands to productive uses. Many of these sites are in rural areas with diminished economic opportunities for residents. Local contractors are engaged to restore lands to productive uses and to increase site safety in affected areas. This program also bolsters economic development in local communities impacted by job losses in the mining industry.

Assistance Types

• Project Grants (for specified projects)

Program Contact

moira_russell@ios.doi.gov
771-216-6799