unpatanted claims

[49erjohn]

i am trying to figure out if i can afford to buy an unpatented mining clain. ok once you have actually bought an unpatented claim could someone tell me what other expences i would have to pay?
thanks for your help JOHN

[bootybay]

John I'd love to know how you find out about unpatented claims and approx how much they cost... thats right up my ole alley here. great too if ya had a log cabin on it or could build one... talk about heaven huh....

[djui5]

Once you buy the claim, all you have to do is register it every year with the BLM. There is an annual fine involved. Not sure what it is everywhere else, but here in AZ it's $125. You can offset this fee by making improvements to the claim, like paying yourself $20 an hour to clean up trash, or buying mining equipment, or having a road graded, etc. The price is per claim, no matter how large it is.

[Jeffro]

I tend to stay away from unpatented claims, there's too much scamming going on. BLM and Forest service both have packets you can buy which show you exactly how to do it yourself.

You can start looking for claims here-

http://www.geocommunicator.gov/NILS-...map.jsp?MAP=MC

Keep in mind the online info may not be up to date, you'll still need to check the county recorders office in case someone has filed recently.

And no, you can't build a permanant structure on an unpatented claim.

[Twisted Fork]

Another approach is to get a short term lease from the existing claimant. If he tries to get more than 10 to 15% from out of your diggin's, I would ask him to show you right where to dig and prove it's worth or else move on. If you have located something he is not yet aware of, watch your ass. Either way, get it in writing first. I knew an old timer years ago who had over 450 active claims. Many were leased out enough to cover his yearly proof of labor and assessment fees. Some he had only a few hundred in and in time turned them over to mining companies for many thousands. Big companies need tax write offs and some will pay good money, even if they never get around to working the ground. Twisted

[Hoser John]

Be VERY careful with leasing, you MUST check out the claims exactly like you were buying them, LOTS of scammers lease/sell what is not theres' to do so with.It has happened to me at least a dozen times in 35+ years a gold grubbn'-Tons a au 2 u 2-John

[djui5]

Yeah, there are some scams going on with selling mining claims. Best way to avoid these are to avoid evilbay, and ask the owner if you can spend a few days testing the claim before you buy it. If they say no, something is fishy.

It's also a lot cheaper and easier to lay a claim yourself, but you have to go out and hunt for the gold

[hipmount]

Hey Bootybay ...... roger that, about the LOG CABIN (heaven). Found my HEAVEN ..... just a year ago ..... seems like it took forever. The 'bounty' that Alaska has to offer ..... is all around me.
As for the gold claim? I'm still working on the that DREAM. Till then ..... I'll just wonder around.

Peace be with you,
Rick

[Twisted Fork]

It's so true you can't be to careful. I know the same old timer has a couple of real special digs that he keeps to himself. He won't even file on them out of numerous fears. There just isn't any trail sign left for them to look for now.

[bootybay]

you lucky dog you...That looks wonderful... what part of alaska are ya in..my gf is in anchorage... she keeps bugging me to move up there..I dont know if I can handle that cold thou... but I do know its beautiful up there.

love to see more pix..

rae

[aarthrj3811]

I don't know the laws for all the states, but in California I have to pay property taxes to the County where my claim is registered,,,,Art

[Jeffro]

That don't sound right at all aarthr... I'd do some checking into that one for sure! Although it IS Cali, so I guess anything goes.

[aarthrj3811]

Hey Jeffro....When you file a claim it has to be filed with the county before BLM will let you file it with them....BLM has a book on how to file a claim....Art

[Jeffro]

Hey Jeffro....When you file a claim it has to be filed with the county before BLM will let you file it with them....BLM has a book on how to file a claim....Art

Yeah, I know.... I've had several. What doesn't sound right to me is how can they levy a property tax when the only thing a claim is, is mineral rights? You have no rights per se to the actual property, you can't even kick off trespassers as its public land.

And if its public land, why are YOU forced to pay taxes on something you don't own? Sounds to me like your county is doing something fishy.

[aarthrj3811]

You can file a claim with the county and you have 3 months to record it with BLM.....In 3 months you have all the rights of a claim owner without the BLM B/S....Art

[Jeffro]

You can file a claim with the county and you have 3 months to record it with BLM.....In 3 months you have all the rights of a claim owner without the BLM B/S....Art

Evidently we are talking at cross purposes here or somewhere our lines are getting crossed. You're aware that a claim is simply a right to the MINERALS, not the land, right? So how can your county charge a property tax, is my question.

Anyone else ever had this happen? This is a first for me, hearing about this. Again, it sounds to me like your county is pulling something fishy. I'd look into it more if I were you.

BTW, how much did they charge you for the property tax?

[aarthrj3811]

The last one I paid was only $56. Then I gave the claim to GPAA in exchance for the Claims Guide and the magizine...Art

[djui5]

We don't have to pay property taxes here in AZ. That sounds kinda weird to me. Maybe it's different in Cali. Here we file claims in State Trust land They pay the taxes.

[Twisted Fork]

Sounds like horseplay to me. Utah and the Feds get all of theirs before you even dig. Otherwise digging is the only way you can keep it, and before fixing any roads. Tax comes when the mine pays you.

[rockyredbaron]

The last one I paid was only $56. Then I gave the claim to GPAA in exchance for the Claims Guide and the magizine...Art

You shoulda got access rights to all their GPAA Claims in addition to the guide and magazine..or did you already do that