Congress finds and declares that continued application of the federal mining laws to National Park System lands conflicts with the purposes for which the parks were established, and all mining operations conducted on park lands should prevent or minimize damage to the environment and other resource values. [54 U.S.C. §100731]

All activities resulting from the exercise of valid existing mineral rights on patented or unpatented mining claims within the National Park System shall be subject to such regulations as the Secretary of the Interior deems necessary or desirable. [54 U.S.C. §100732]

All mining claims under the Mining Law of 1872 that lie within National Park System lands shall be recorded with the Secretary within one year after September 28, 1976, and all claims not so recorded shall be void. [54 U.S.C. §100733]

Whenever the Secretary finds that a nationally significant natural or historical landmark may be irreparably lost or destroyed because of surface mining activity, the Secretary shall notify the person conducting the activity and notify and request advice from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation concerning how to mitigate or abate the activity. [54 U.S.C. §100734]