Mining Claims and Sites on Federal Lands (November 2016)

Book excerpt: This pamphlet provides information on activities that fall under the Mining Law of 1872, as amended. The five elements of the Mining Law of 1872, as amended, are described in this pamphlet: 1. Discovery of a valuable mineral deposit 2. Location of mining claims and sites 3. Recordation of mining claims and sites 4. Annual maintenance (annual assessment work or annual fees) for mining claims and sites 5. Mineral patents This pamphlet also provides a brief introduction of the BLM Mining Law Administration Program’s responsibilities on federal lands administered by the BLM. The program involves mining claim recordation, annual maintenance (annual assessment work or annual fees), mineral patents, and surface management. The last section provides additional sources for more information on the following topics: Geology and mineral resources of a particular areaSurface management regulationsOther federal and state legal requirements