Mining Claims/Sites Filing Instructions for 2013
Due on or before September 1, 2012

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	New Rules: Placer Mining Claim Maintenance Fees The Bureau of Land Management issued a rule that changes the way placer mining claim maintenance fees are assessed.  The rule implements the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 which requires the BLM to collect maintenance fees for placer mining claims based on the total acreage contained in the claim, rather than by the claim.
	If... Then... Due You have a placer mining claim You pay $140 for every 20 acres or portion thereof. Sept. 4, 2012 You file a new placer mining claim You pay $140 for every 20 acres or portion thereof. Upon filing You have a mill site, tunnel site, or lode claim You are not affected by the new rules.  You pay $140 per claim or site. Sept. 4, 2012
	The requirements for small miners have not changed.

WHAT MUST BE PAID OR FILED? 

Pay the  2013 "Maintenance Fee" of $140 for every 20 acres or portion thereof on or before September 4, 2012, call (916) 978-4400, to obtain the Maintenance Fee Form,

OR

File a 2013 Maintenance Fee Payment Waiver Certification, Form 3830­-2, (commonly referred to as the Small Miner's Waiver) on or before September 4, 2012.   There is no charge for filing a Small Miner's Waiver.

NOTE:  Because September 1, 2012 falls on a Saturday, and Monday, September 3rd is a holiday, we will accept your yearly filings through Tuesday, September 4, 2012 as timely filed.  And, because this year December 30, 2012, falls on a Sunday, we will accept your filings through Monday, December 31, 2012. 

AND

If you file the 2013 Small Miner's Waiver (due on or before September 4, 2012), you are certifying you will perform assessment on your mining claim in the "2013" assessment year and you will be required to do the following on or before December 31, 2013:

• For all PLACER and LODE MINING CLAIMS listed on the Waiver, you must file an Affidavit of Assessment Work (Proof of Labor Form), which shows the assessment work performed in 2013. You may call (916) 978-4400 to receive the Assessment Form; or
• For MILL SITES or TUNNEL SITES listed on the Waiver, you must file a Notice of Intent to Hold for the assessment year 2013; and
• Pay a processing fee of $10.00 per claim/site listed on your Affidavit of Assessment Work and/or the Notice of Intent to Hold.  This fee must be received at the time you file your Affidavit of Assessment Work and/or the Notice of Intent to Hold on or before December 31, 2013.

REMINDER:  For those who filed a "2012 Small Miner's Waiver" by "September 1, 2011," you are required to file your 2012 Affidavit of Assessment Work for your mining claim to show you performed assessment work, or a Notice of Intent to Hold for your mill or tunnel site on or before December 31, 2012, along with a processing fee of $10.00 for each claim/site listed on your Affidavit of Assessment or Notice of Intent to Hold.

All new locations must pay $189, plus $140 for every 20 acres or portion thereof, even if your "location date" on your form is August 31st of the current year.  Claims will expire the next day if you do not turn in your yearly filings.  Which means by September 1st of the current year, pay the Maintenance Fee of $140 for every 20 acres or portion thereof to the Sacramento Office or turn in the Small Miners Waiver.  The Notice of Intent to Hold (NOI) and $10 per mining claim/site processing fee is due to the Sacramento Office by December 31, 2012, or you may turn in the NOI earlier.

 REQUIREMENTS FOR SMALL MINER'S FEE WAIVER?

You may file a Small Miner's Waiver (by September 4, 2012) if you own ten or fewer claims and/or sites nationwide and will performed $100 worth of assessment work on your claims for the upcoming assessment year (by December 30, 2013).  All claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites must be listed on the Small Miner's Waiver, AND the Small Miners Waiver must contain the original signatures (preferably in Blue Ink) of all claimants/owners having an interest in the claims/sites.  If an agent signs for any of the claimants/owners, a notarized designation of agent, signed by all claimants/owners must be submitted with the waiver.

 WHERE DO YOU FILE?

Bureau of Land Management
California State Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1623
Sacramento, CA 95825-1886

Phone:  (916) 978-4400 Information Access Center

NOTE:  If you would like a date stamped copy of your document, you MUST provide an additional copy that can be returned to you.

BE ALERT!  FILING REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

As an owner of mining claims, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for keeping yourself informed of the changes in the filing requirements and the mining laws.  Congress may pass legislation affecting filing requirements and, consequently, the procedure may change.   It is suggested that you contact our office periodically to stay up to date. You may write us at the address above or call our customer service representatives at (916) 978-­4400.  You may also obtain from the Information Access Center guidance on locating a mining claim, additional forms, pamphlets, etc.

The use of the forms referred to in these Filing Instructions are optional; however, it is strongly recommended that these forms be used.  NOTE:  The Bureau of Land Management Waiver Form must be used, it's not optional.  Use of these forms will ensure that you provide the listing of all serial numbers, claim and/or site names, the original signatures required on the filings, and all other information that is necessary for you to complete your filing.  These Filing Instructions and forms have been provided to you as a courtesy.  To access the forms see the hypertext.

 COUNTY RECORDER FILING REQUIREMENTS

In addition to filing with the BLM, file a 2012 Affidavit of Assessment Work (Proof of Labor form) or Notice of Intent to Hold with the county recorder's office.  The location of this office will always be in the County Seat of the county in which your claims are situated. 

NOTE: If you paid the MAINTENANCE FEE rather than filing a SMALL MINER'S WAIVER, indicate on your county filing that you have paid the 2013 Maintenance Fee to the BLM and the date on which you paid.

THESE FILING INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED TO YOU AS A COURTESY OF THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, CALIFORNIA STATE OFFICE.