This educational guide is based on the linked primary sources. It is not a Court publication, is not affiliated with the Court, and is not legal advice.
In brief
Overview
Petitioners argue that the plain meaning of “valuable minerals” in the Pittman Act did not include sand and gravel.
According to Petitioners (Mr. McCrum), according to Petitioners (Mr. McCrum), according to Petitioners (Mr. McCrum), petitioners also contend that sand and gravel were never subject to the 1872 Mining Law and therefore are not “valuable minerals.”
The United States argues that sand and gravel are valuable minerals within the meaning of the Pittman Act.
The United States (through its representative) also maintains that the 1872 Mining Act first allowed claims on sand and gravel, and that earlier Department of the Interior positions treated sand and gravel as minerals.
- [1] 0a3eb4191d785e407bae-r1-b81d1bc5bc2bb3f2.pdf, p. 4
- [2] 0a3eb4191d785e407bae-r1-b81d1bc5bc2bb3f2.pdf, p. 53
- [3] 0a3eb4191d785e407bae-r1-b81d1bc5bc2bb3f2.pdf, p. 54
- [4] 0a3eb4191d785e407bae-r1-b81d1bc5bc2bb3f2.pdf, p. 19
- [5] 0a3eb4191d785e407bae-r1-b81d1bc5bc2bb3f2.pdf, p. 26
- [6] 0a3eb4191d785e407bae-r1-b81d1bc5bc2bb3f2.pdf, p. 37
- [7] 0a3eb4191d785e407bae-r1-b81d1bc5bc2bb3f2.pdf, p. 40
Background and question before the Court
The case began in 1993 when the Bureau of Land Management issued notices of trespass for extracting sand and gravel from private land in the Nevada desert.
What each side argues
Petitioners
According to Petitioners, the plain meaning of “valuable minerals” in the 1919 Pittman Act did not include sand and gravel.
According to Petitioners (Mr. McCrum), according to Petitioners (Mr. McCrum), according to Petitioners (Mr. McCrum), sand and gravel were not subject to the 1872 Mining Law and therefore are not “valuable minerals.”
United States
According to United States, sand and gravel are valuable minerals within the meaning of the Pittman Act.
What happened at oral argument
The case was heard in oral argument before the Supreme Court at 10:03 a.m.
What the Court decided
Why it matters
Terms to know
No glossary terms are available for this guide.
Primary sources
Read the source materials on the official site or open the immutable repository copy used for this guide.
- 0a3eb4191d785e407bae-r1-b81d1bc5bc2bb3f2.pdforal argument transcript
Guide generated September 20, 2026. Automated validation accepted this version.