Millions $$$ in Rare Minerals are still available to claim!
HOW TO ESTABLISH A MINERAL CLAIM IN THE US
PREAMBLE - Mineral claiming & mining regulations in the US are fairly archaic compared to countries with more advanced regulation and procedures for their mining industries (ex: Canada, Australia, China, etc). Many of the mining regulations haven't been updated since 1872. In the US, staking a mineral claim is surprisingly simple. The 1st steps involve going to survey land (i.e. un-claimed land, eligible for mineral entry), literally planting a stake (4-6 foot, wood/stone "monument") to declare your claim, then recording that claim with the state government & Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
In researching US Bureau of Land Management & State laws/regulations for a lithium mining venture in Nevada (aka the new "Gold Rush"), I came across some interesting mineral claiming opportunities for Copper, Molybdenum, Gold & Sand (for various reasons there's high demand, but a scarcity of sand in the US...) The minerals listed are abundant in Arizona, so most of this content will apply to that state. However, many of the same procedures apply to other states and federal lands, that are eligible.
For the 1st part of this guide: "Lode" and "Placer" claims vary on the type of mineral your planning to mine and how you intend to mine it. This guide presumes you are already familiar with both methods. If not, I encourage further research on both types.
Finally, I also encourage any entrepreneurial readers who found this guide helpful, to reach out to me, if you too are inclined to pursue wealth in mining ventures out here in the Wild West. The following procedures apply to locating a mining claim: Lode Claims: Location of Placer Claims: Mill sites: Monuments: Monuments may be a post 1.5 inches in cross section and projecting four feet above the surface of the ground or a stone monument three feet high. Monuments must be marked to identify the corners of the claim or end corner for which they were erected. EXAMPLES: Recordation: FEES: AS OF 2022 New claim fees: Location fee $40, Processing fee $20 and Maintenance Fee $165. Lode total - $225. Placer is the same rate, except Maintenance Fees - $165 for each 20 acres or portion thereof. These fees are paid to the BLM at the time of filing. By August 31st of each year, you must pay a $165 maintenance fee for the subsequent assessment year or; File a waiver from the payment of the maintenance fee if you have 10 or fewer claims nationwide (Form 3830-2 Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification). If qualified for this waiver, you must complete $100 worth of assessment work prior to September 1 and you must file an Affidavit of Labor with the BLM and in the county where the claim is located by December 30th of the same year. There is a $15 per claim fee required by the BLM to file an Affidavit of Labor or Notice of Intent to Hold. BLM fees are increased from time to time. Check with the Arizona State Office for any fee increases. The fees charged by the counties varies. Consult the Recorders Office in the county where your claim is located for more information. CONDITIONS REQUIRING PERMITS, AUTHORIZATIONS OR FILINGS: Activities that ordinarily result in no or negligible disturbance of the public lands or resources are termed "casual use." In general, the operator may engage in casual use activities without consulting, notifying or seeking approval from the BLM. For exploration activity greater than casual use and which causes surface disturbance of five (5) acres or less of public lands; the operator must file a complete Notice with the responsible BLM Field Office. Notice is for exploration only and only 1000 tons may be removed for testing FORMS: LEGAL AUTHORITY: Sources: https://asmi.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/arizona_mining_permitting_guide_2011.pdf http://docs.azgs.az.gov/OnlineAccessMineFiles/Pubs/2013-02-0497.pdf
