How Much Does Staking a Mining Claim Cost?

There are several fees associated with staking a mining claim. First, claims associated with a new claim must be paid, including a processing fee and location fee. A maintenance fee must be paid within the first 90 days of staking a claim and annually thereafter.

NEW CLAIMS FEES

As of September 1, 2019, the cost for new claims is $225 for lode claims, tunnel sites, and mill sites. This fee breaks down into a $20 processing fee, $40 location fee, and a $165 maintenance fee. This fee must be paid within 90 days of the date of claim location.

The fees for new placer claims are similar to lode, tunnel site, and mill site claims. However, the annual maintenance fee may vary based on acreage, as $165 is charged for every 20 acres or portion thereof.

Frequency: The processing fee and location fee for a new mining claim are paid once at the inception of the claim while maintenance fees are paid annually.

When: Within 90 days of date of claim location

Amount: $225 for lode claims, tunnel sites, and mill sites. Placer claims may vary based on acreage.

Important Notes: For claims located prior to September 1 but filed on or after September 1, maintenance fees will be charged for both assessment years unless a valid waiver is filed.

LODE CLAIMS, TUNNEL SITES, MILL SITES

Processing Fee – $20

Location Fee – $40

Maintenance Fee (paid annually) – $165

TOTAL PER CLAIM – $225

ANNUAL MAINTENANCE & ASSESSMENTS

Claimants re required to pay an annual maintenance fee on each mining claim. These claims must be filed on or before September 1 every year. Annual maintenance fees may be paid online through the Mineral & Land Record System, in-person at the local BLM state office, or via mail. In Alaska, online payment is not accepted; however, in-person payments are also accepted at the Fairbanks District Office.

Frequency: Annual

When: On or Before September 1

Amount: $165 per claim. For placer claims, $165 for each 20 acres or portion thereof.

How: Online (except in Alaska), in-person at state BLM office, or via mail

Read the full list of fees and associated documents here.

EXCEPTIONS & ADDITIONAL FEES

There are a few additional fees that may be required for situations such as a mining claim transfer or releasing legal claim to the mining claim. There is also an exception available to small miners.

SMALL MINERS CLAIM WAIVER

For claimants with 10 or fewer claims, maintenance fees may be waved so long as assessment work has (or will be performed) and the proper affidavits of assessment or annual labor will be filled. 

QUITCLAIM DEEDS

If you choose to release legal claim of your mining claim, you will be required to pay a quitclaim payment of $15. This is often used when preparing to transfer the claim to another person, such as in a sale or transfer of ownership. The regulations for quitclaim deeds, such as whether a QCD needs to be filed with the state recorder’s office, vary state by state, so it’s important to research a state’s individual requirements.

AMENDED NOTICE OF LOCATION

If your notice of location needs to be amended, such as if the original notice has errors or areas that require clarification, the size of your claim needs to be reduced, or the land description needs correction(s), this also requires a small $15 fee. For more information about amended notice of locations, review this article published by Cornell Law School.

ADDITIONAL QUESTION

Do you have additional questions about how to stake a mining claim or claim staking fees? Let us know 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.

You may also be interested in...