There's an interesting article in the Washington Post today. Last year revenue from oil, gas and coal extracted from federal and Indian lands amounted to $11.4 billion. But companies who mine gold, copper and other so called hard rock minerals pay $189 to find a claim and then $140 per year for the mine after that. No royalties, just $140 per mine.
       The government claims it doesn't keep track of how much gold or copper or etc is taken or the value thereof. That's because there's no reason to, since we don't get royalties. But the last estimate, in 1993, with prices fairly low, was $6.41 billion. Of course gold was worth about $300 per ounce then and it's $1,700 per ounce today.
       My guess, and I assure you it's just a guess, is that we're getting screwed. Don't get me wrong, folks who scour the countryside in search of these metals should be able to make a profit off them. But as the landlord, I think $140 a year is just slightly less than fair. I mean, at those prices, I think almost anybody would be willing to take a chance at winning that jackpot.
       Ya know when these rates were put in place? The General Mining Act of 1872 set these rates and apparently nobody has felt the need to take a second look at them. Probably felt they were just too small potatoes to be concerned.
       So this one has made the news and will now receive a second look, after 140 years, but what about other little morsels? Anyone want to wager the family horseless carriage there are other sweet treats hanging around the nooks and crannies of Washington?