The session will provide overview, updates, and Tribal involvement regarding two US EPA programs:
Good Samaritan Remediation of Hardrock Mines Act of 2024, which was passed on December 17, 2024. Under this legislation, EPA is tasked with establishing a 7-year pilot program, where EPA may issue up to 15 permits to allow outside parties (Good Samaritans) to remediate mine residue at abandoned hardrock mine sites to protect human health and the environment without being subject to enforcement or liability.
The Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative (EMRTAI) drives innovation and facilitates dialogue through technology assessments that produce data for informed decisions surrounding the identification and recovery of critical minerals from mine waste at legacy mining and mineral processing sites during site remediation.
