Government Cheaply Selling Land to Mining Companies
This National Geographic video investigates the practice of allowing the government to cheaply sell land that could be used for recreation and conservation to mining companies. They use an antiquated 1872 mining law to sell land for as cheap as $5 an acre. It's a shocking story.
For centuries the American West has been the realm of cowboys, miners and frontiersman. Since 1872 mining companies have been reaping the benefit of an antiquated law allowing mining companies to purchase land at bargain prices, such as the recent acquisition of an entire mountain for only 875 dollars. Wild Chronicles follows what happens when 19th century laws are faced up against 21st century sensibilities.
