Mining Bills Passed During the 2025 Utah Legislative Session

HB0355 | Mining and Critical Infrastructure Materials Amendments

Snider, C.

This bill updated Utah’s regulations concerning the extraction of critical infrastructure minerals: sand, gravel, and rock aggregate. The bill allowed existing mining operations to expand onto adjacent land, even if they hadn’t previously mined there, provided they notify local governments and the public. It also shifted the burden of proof in disputes over vested mining rights, requiring challengers to disprove the existence of a vested use rather than operators having to prove it. Additionally, the bill clarified definitions related to mining and critical infrastructure materials.

HB0478 | Brine Mining Amendments

Bolinder, B.

This bill created Utah’s first comprehensive law—called the Brine Conservation Act—to regulate the exploration and extraction of deep brine (mineral-rich underground saltwater). It defines key terms like “brine mining operation” and “brine well,” and puts the Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining in charge of oversight. Under the bill, operators must obtain permits, pay fees, follow environmental protections during drilling (like preventing freshwater pollution), and keep detailed production records for six years. The law also allowed the board to establish drilling units, pool landowner interests, set royalties and cost-sharing rules, and suspend operations or issue penalties.

SB0034 | Mineral Surety Study

Owens, D.R.

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This bill requires Utah’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining to conduct a comprehensive study on “surety”—the financial guarantees (like bonds, cash, collateral, or insurance) that mining and other mineral operators must provide to cover reclamation costs. The study will explore which types of surety are acceptable, how much operators should pledge, when and how surety should be released or forfeited, and how Utah’s requirements compare with those in other states. It also asks whether new tools—like captive insurers or a state surety pool—could help modernize the system. The division must present its findings and any legislative recommendations to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee by October 2025.

SJR011 | Joint Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals

Millner, A.

This resolution calls for the critical minerals mining industry to establish a working group formed of industry, government, and academic professionals in order to build a statewide strategy for rare earth minerals in the state of Utah.