§ 460y-5. Applicability of mining laws; prospecting commenced or conducted and mining claims located subsequent to October 21, 1970, as subject to regulations; patents issued on mining clai
(a)
Subject to valid existing rights, nothing in this subchapter shall affect the applicability of the United States mining laws on the federally owned lands within the Area, except that all prospecting commenced or conducted and all mining claims located after October 21, 1970, shall be subject to such reasonable regulations as the Secretary may prescribe to effectuate the purposes of this subchapter. Any patent issued on any mining claim located after October 21, 1970, shall recite this limitation and continue to be subject to such regulations. All such regulations shall provide, among other things, for such measures as may be reasonable to protect the scenic and esthetic values of the Area against undue impairment and to assure against pollution of the streams and waters within the Area.
(b)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or restrict rights of the owner or owners of any existing valid mining claim.