The Ruby Mountains Protection Act withdraws approximately 309,272 acres of National Forest System land in the Ruby Mountains subdistrict of Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and 39,926 acres of Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge from mineral leasing operations. This means mining companies will no longer be able to lease these federal lands for mineral extraction. The bill, introduced by Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen in April 2025, respects existing mineral leases and rights already in place before the law takes effect. The withdrawal applies to any additional federal land acquired in these areas after enactment, and it includes an exception allowing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue refuge management activities. The legislation directly affects mining interests in Elko and White Pine Counties, Nevada, while protecting these public lands from future mineral development.
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