Rangefront Mining Services has been in the mining industry for decades, which means we’ve seen more than our fair share of mining claims. In fact, each year we help our clients renew over 11,000 mining claims. Long story short, we have a lot of experience in claim staking.
You may have already read our previous article, “How to Stake a Mining Claim.” In this article, we discuss some additional frequently asked questions about claim staking.
7 FAQS ABOUT CLAIM STAKING
Here are some of the most common questions we get asked about claim staking.
1. HOW MUCH DOES CLAIM STAKING COST?
As of September 1, 2019, the claim staking fees for a new lode claim includes a processing fee of $20, a location fee of $40, and a maintenance fee of $165. For placer claims, the maintenance fee is for every 20 acres or for a portion of 20 acres. After the initial fee is paid, claim holders will be required to pay the maintenance fee annually by September 1.
2. HOW LONG IS A LAND CLAIM GOOD FOR?
Land claims must be renewed every year and the annual maintenance fee paid to remain active.
3. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A LAND CLAIM IS OPEN OR NOT?
When you are seeking opportunities for staking a mining claim, you will probably notice posts or monuments marking the corner of a claim—or you may not notice them at all. While claim owners are required to keep these monuments visible and in good repair, there are times when they may be neglected or inconspicuous, making it an unreliable way to find whether the land has an active claim. The best way to know whether an area already has an existing mining claim is to check BLM and County records.
4. CAN I LIVE ON A MINING CLAIM?
No, mining claims do not give you actual ownership over the land or rights to live on the site. Rather, a mining claim is a claim to the mineral rights on the land.
5. DOES A MINING CLAIM GIVE YOU RIGHTS TO MINE ON LAND?
Contrary to the name, a mining claim does not necessarily give you carte blanche to mine in the area. On the National Forest, any activities, including those related to working a claim, that disturb the surface or that require mechanized/motorized equipment (e.g., suction dredges, highbankers, vehicles), require submission of a Notice of Intent to the Forest Service and may require approval of a Plan of Operations. Additional analysis by several specialists may be required before a plan can be approved. This process may take several months or longer. Permits from state agencies may also be needed, especially if water resources are to be used in the mining operation.
6. IS THERE ANY LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF MINING CLAIMS YOU CAN HAVE?
No, in the United States a claimant may hold any number of mining claims.
7. WHO CAN STAKE A MINING CLAIM?
United States citizens, legal immigrants who have declared their intention to become a citizen, and corporations organized under the laws of any state may make a mining claim. However, the claimant must be of the legal age of discretion under the law of the state of residence. Note: the government considers a corporation the same as a U.S. citizen. An agent may also locate a mining claim on behalf of a claimant.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT STAKING A MINING CLAIM?
For additional questions about claim staking, leave a message in the comments below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BRIAN GOSS
President, Rangefront Mining Services
Brian Goss brings over 20 years of experience in gold and mineral exploration. He is the founder and President of Rangefront, a premier geological services and mining consulting company that caters to a large spectrum of clients in the mining and minerals exploration industries. Brian is also a director of Lithium Corp. (OTCQB: LTUM), an exploration stage company specializing in energy storage minerals and from 2014 to 2017, he fulfilled the role of President and Director of Graphite Corp. (OTCQB: GRPH), an exploration stage that specialized in the development of graphite properties. Prior to founding Rangefront, Brian worked as a staff geologist for Centerra Gold on the REN project, as well as various exploration and development projects in the Western United States and Michigan. Brian Goss holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Geology from Wayne State University in Michigan.
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