New mining claims banned on public land near Yellowstone

U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke approved a 20-year ban on new mining claims in the mountains north of Yellowstone National Park on Monday after two proposed gold mines raised concerns the area could be spoiled.

Zinke’s order extends a temporary ban imposed in 2016 under President Barack Obama on new claims for gold, silver and other minerals on 30,000 acres of public lands in Montana’s Paradise Valley and Gardiner Basin.