U.S. officials propose less paperwork for mineral royalty cuts

HEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – A U.S. Bureau of Land Management proposal published Friday would make it easier for mining companies to request lower government royalty rates for certain minerals, an idea backed by supporters of an industry that supplies much of the world’s baking soda. The proposal would reduce paperwork for miners who ask the BLM to lower rates for the right to mine federally owned, non-fossil- fuel minerals including trona, phosphate, potash, potassium, and sulfur.