Hardrock Mining Royalty Act of 1997 - Requires the payment of a royalty to the Federal Government of five percent of the net smelter return from the production of locatable minerals or mineral concentrates produced from any mining claim located under the general mining laws. Establishes the Abandoned Minerals Mine Reclamation Fund, into which all such royalty receipts shall be deposited for the reclamation and restoration of land and water resources adversely affected by past minerals activities (other than coal and fluid minerals activities). Identifies the kinds of land and waters eligible for reclamation expenditures. Authorizes appropriations for the Fund.

Restricts the issuance of any patents for mining or mill site claims to those for which applications were filed, certain statutory requirements governing vein or lode claims, placer claims, and mill site claims were complied with, before September 30, 1994.

Sets forth annual claim maintenance fee requirements (which shall not apply to oil shale claims subject to claim maintenance fees under the Energy Policy Act of 1992).