US halts mining in Solar Energy Zones

19 July 2013

Department of the Interior halts new mining claims for 20 years in its Solar Energy Zones. Almost 304,000 acres across 17 sites in six western U.S. states will come under the 20-year mining ban.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has put a stop to new mining claims in the 17 Solar Energy Zones established in October.

The 17 sites, spread across the western states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah were highlighted as areas of public land most suitable for solar developments thanks to high irradiation, access to planned and existing transmission lines and low biological, cultural and historical value.

The 303,900 acres of U.S. public land encompassed by the Solar Energy Zones had a block on new mining claims under temporary measures and the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management has approved a public land order which means new mining claims cannot be filed on the areas for 20 years.

Nevada boasts five of the zones with four in Colorado, three in Utah, two each in Arizona and California and with Afton the sole Solar Energy Zone in New Mexico.