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Digging for dollars: Who contributes and who benefits
Thursday, June 14, 2001
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER STAFF
The hard rock mining industry's campaign contributions to federal candidates and political parties tripled during the 1990s.
Although it is impossible to say where "soft money" contributions to the parties went, the mining companies' direct contributions to candidates were clearly targeted to cement their relationship with members of Congress who already were sympathetic, especially members of two key Senate committees. Four-fifths of the industry's contributions went to Republicans and more than half went to members of Congress from states with a large mining presence.
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Top recipients of mining contributions
| RANK | NAME | TOTAL | MINING CONNECTION |
| 1 | Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz. | $96,100 | Represents major copper-mining district. Has campaigned for Environmental Protection Agency approval of a new mine proposed by a Canadian company |
| 2 | Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho | $78,614 | One of the mining industry's most outspoken defenders; serves on two key committees |
| 3 | Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. | $72,875 | No. 2 Democrat in Senate who helped torpedo 1994 compromise on reforming 1872 Mining Law |
| 4 | Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. | $68,450 | Newly elected from state with the largest number of gold mines |
| 5 | Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont. | $65,150 | Headed subcommittee that controls reform of 1872 Mining Law |
| 6 | Sen. Don Young, R-Alaska | $63,650 | Headed committee that controls reform of 1872 Mining Law |
| 7 | Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo. | $54,740 | Reliable vote for the mining industry but does not serve in a key position |
| 8 | Sen. Jon Kyl. R-Ariz. | $54,566 | Serves on key committees: Appropriations and Energy/Natural Resources |
| 9 | Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. | $47,599 | Unsuccessful presidential candidate in 2000; state has major copper mines |
| 10 | Former Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash. | $45,650 | Former Appropriations subcommittee chairman; helped Battle Mountain Gold overcome roadblock to Okanogan County mine |
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