How Much Does Staking a Mining Claim Cost? Updated for September 2024

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 typically must be paid within the first 90 days of staking a claim and annually thereafter. However, each state has its own deadlines (for example, 30 days in Arizona and Utah, 45 days in Alaska, and 90 days in Idaho. Be sure to verify your specific state requirements).

For all claims in the U.S. except for those claims and sites in Alaska, these annual maintenance fees, processing fees, and other documents may be paid and filed online through the Mineral & Land Records System (MLRS).

New Claim Staking Fees – September 2024

As of September 1, 2024, the cost for new claims is $274 for lode claims, tunnel sites, and mill sites. This fee breaks down into a $25 processing fee, $49 location fee, and a $200 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 $200 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.
• Due Date: Most states require this within 90 days of date of claim location. However, each state has its own deadlines—e.g., 30 days in Arizona and Utah, 45 days in Alaska, and 90 days in Idaho. Be sure to verify your specific state requirements.
• Fee Amount: $274 for lode claims, tunnel sites, and mill sites. Placer claims may vary based on acreage.
  
• Annual Maintenance Fee: $200 for lode claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites; $200 for each 20 acres or portion thereof for placer claims.

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 Site & Mill Site Claim Fees

• Processing Fee – $25
• Location Fee – $49
• Maintenance Fee (paid annually) – $200
• TOTAL PER CLAIM – $274

Placer Claim Fees

• Processing Fee – $25
• Location Fee – $49
• Maintenance Fee (paid annually) – $200 for each 20 acres or portion thereof
• TOTAL PER CLAIM – $274 minimum, with additional $200 for each additional 20 acres or portion thereof

Annual Maintenance & Assessment Fees

Claimants 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 (MLRS), 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
• Due Date: On or Before September 1
• Amount: $200 per lode claim, mill site, and tunnel site. For placer claims, $200 for each 20 acres or portion thereof.
• How to pay: Online (except in Alaska), in-person at state BLM office, or via mail

For more information about annual maintenance fees, we encourage you to reach out to the experts at Rangefront Geological.

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 waived 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 the legal claim of your mining claim, Quitclaim deeds cost $15 per claim to be transferred.  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.

Do you have questions?

Do you have additional questions about how to stake a mining claim or would you like help understanding claim staking fees or assistance in your annual claim filing? We encourage you to contact Rangefront today. We are happy to help.

This article was originally published in November 2022 and was reviewed, edited, and updated in September 2024 to reflect the latest information and updates.

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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