Locatable Minerals

Baker City, Armstrong Nugget 80.4 oz.

Locatable Minerals Definition

The General Mining Law of 1872, as amended, opened the public lands of the United States to mineral acquisition by the location and maintenance of mining claims. Mineral deposits subject to acquisition in this manner are generally referred to as "locatable minerals." Locatable minerals include both metallic minerals (gold, silver, lead, copper, zinc, nickel, etc.), nonmetallic minerals (fluorspar, mica, certain limestones and gypsum, tantalum, heavy minerals in placer form, and gemstones) and certain uncommon variety minerals. It is very difficult to prepare a complete list of locatable minerals because the history of the law has resulted in a definition of minerals that includes economics. more>>

Mining Claims

The federal law governing locatable minerals is the General Mining Law of 1872 (May 10, 1872), which declared all valuable mineral deposits in land belonging to the United States to be free and open to citizens of the United States to explore for, discover, and purchase certain valuable mineral deposits on public domain minerals. more>>

Locating and Recording a Mining Claim/Site

The location of a mining claim involves a series of steps. You first need to determine the exact location of the area you are interested on the ground as defined by the Public Land Survey System (township, range, section). You may purchase maps or use several on-line sites to assist you in identifying the legal description. more>>

Mining

Pannin'

• BLM Mineral Policy Statement
• Oregon/Washington Bureau of Land Management Policy for 43 CFR 3809 Notice- and Plan-Level Operations, 43 CFR 3715 Use and Occupancy, and Reclamation Cost Estimates (PDF)
• 1872 Mining Law (PDF)
• Land Records (LR2000) - instructions for running LR2000 reports can be viewed here
• Master Title Plats
• Mining Claim Packet:
  • Placer Claim Maintenance Fee Regulations (PDF)
  • Guide to Locating Mining Claims (PDF)
  • How Do I Find Out Where and How to Stake a Mining Claim? (PDF)
  • Mining Claim Fee Requirements (PDF)
  • Location Requirements for Association Placer Mining Claims (PDF)
  • Oregon and Washington Map Indexes (PDF)
  • Land Description Diagram (PDF)
  • Placer Claim Layout Examples (PDF)
  • Lode Claim Layout Examples (PDF)
  • Sketch Map of Mining Claim(s) Example (PDF)
  • Small Miners Waiver Form (PDF)
• USGS map site
• Notice and Plan Level Application Requirements
• Financial Guarantees
• BLM Forms

Most Federal surface management agencies, as well as individual states, have regulations to protect the surface resources during exploration and mining activities. Mining operations on public lands must comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

Surface Management of Mining Operations

• 3809 Handbook (PDF)
• 43 CFR 3800 Mining Claims Under the General Mining Laws
• 43 CFR 3715 Use and Occupancy Under the Mining Laws

Reclamation

Mining Prospector

Reclamation of disturbed sites is a requirement after completion of exploration and mining activities.

• BLM Reclamation Regulations (3809.420)
• Notice-and Plan-Level Cost Estimate Guidelines (PDF)
• Financial Guarantee Process for Plan- and Notice-Level operations under 43 CFR 3809 Surface Management Regulations (PDF)
• Guidelines for Successful Revegetation
• Drill Hole and Well Abandonment Policy for Activities Approved under 43 CFR 3809

Environmental Assessment Requirements

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is a basic charter for the protection of the environment.

• NEPA
• NEPA Handbook (PDF)

Closure

It is the policy of the OR/WA BLM that all modifications to an approved Plan of Operations regarding closure will be reviewed and approved by the Authorized Officer under 43 CFR 3809.

• Closure Policy (BLM Reclamation/Closure Policy Requirements) (PDF)

Mineral Patents

Mineral Patent Moratorium: Effective October 1, 1994, Congress imposed a moratorium on spending appropriated funds for the acceptance or processing of mineral patent applications that had not yet received First Half Final Certificate (FHFC) or were not in Washington, D. C. for secretarial review of FHFC on or before September 30, 1994. Until the moratorium is lifted or otherwise expires, the BLM will not accept any new patent applications.