Nevada Mining Fact Sheet

 Sweetheart Tax Deals

1872 Mining Law

Impacts on Great Basin Native American Communities

Land, Water and Wildlife Impacts

Taxpayers Picking Up the Costs

Worker Safety Concerns

Conclusion 

According to former Nevada State Archivist and historian Guy Rocha, the mining industry of Nevada Territory was so opposed to the level of mineral extraction taxation in the draft Nevada constitution of 1864, it compelled the constitutional delegates to draft new language that was much more favorable to the mining industry. Today, mining still bullies lawmakers in order to protect its unique and generous tax advantages.

In Nevada, 90% of mining is from gold, and 90% of gold mined is from two transnational mining conglomerates, Barrick and Newmont.  Not surprisingly, their campaign contributions dwarf those of all other mining corporations combined. The Nevada Mining Association is the 3rd-largest contributor. They made big investments in lawmakers in 2012 and are now expecting to be repaid by having SJR 15 killed in the 2013 session.

It’s time for mining’s free ride to end.

5 Responses

  1. As a relatively new, but highly interested citizen of this state, I find it hard to believe what I’ve read. I’d thought a constitution was something that set the moralistic venue for any country or state.
    Nevada is certainly unique in this territory! Our state has been sold!

  2. So has anyone thought of why it was written into the Nevada constitution? Well maybe we should all do our own research instead of listening to one side’s version of the story. Well it was written into the constitution to ensure that mine companies stayed in Nevada. I don’t think the people in Nevada realize what the mine companies are doing for their state. They donate money to our schools and help our non profits survive by giving generous donations. They provide jobs, some of the best paying jobs with best benefits in the country. They are more concerned with safety then any employer I have ever seen! They keep saying the mines will not leave Nevada because they can afford the tax. Yes maybe they can afford the tax, but if they can find gold somewhere else cheaper they will. Businesses are about making profit. I am a Nevada citizen and I am about doing what’s best for my state and not raising the mine tax is what’s best for our state and anyone that says different needs to think about if they are they willing to take the risk of losing the mine companies business in order to make a few dollars now? Well I am not willing to take that risk. I would also like to point out that the mine industry has kept our state above water during the recent recession.

  3. I really believe these corp. have the money top publish or hide whatever info they feel like. And put out any false truths twisted truths and even donate at the most opportune times in order to stay in the good graces with certain groups and even individuals with the power to control the vote sway the vote or even kill the subject. If a CO. can make money into the hundreds of Millions it wont matter to them what fines they pay because they pail in comparison to the profits. So should there be a tax for clean up? No There should be monitoring that they pay for by an out of state or in state Company that has no interest in the the company they monitor, the money should be collected by the local Cities and townships audited by counties and states and when a fine is deemed necessary for clean up then fine them for clean up and even make them pay for the clean as well. That simple, when it cuts into the profits then they will start to manage their employees in a way that it stops polluting the waters. As far as Deer paths etc. Its their land they do with it what they want. I purchased mine and there is no deer path! So thats the way it should be handled, fined cleaned up and done enough times til they get it right. And I bet you money or gold they will get it right!!