ELKO (AP) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Congress won't act on mining law reform this year.
The Nevada Democrat says Congress already is "overloaded" with other issues and won't have the time to consider mining.
Reid, the son of a hardrock miner, says he would like to see reform that's acceptable to the mining industry.
He pledged to "take care" of the industry when the time comes to consider the issue.
The industry opposes bills introduced last year in the House and Senate to overhaul the 1872 law that still governs mining in the U.S.
Mining law reform has come before Congress many times over the years, and Reid has used his influence to block bills that the industry opposes.
Mining is a major industry in Nevada, particularly around Elko.