Grandfathers mineL

[RattlingDan]

My grandfather had a three acre gold mine he owned outside of Idaho Springs, Colorado since my mom was a little girl.
Grandpa passed away in 1976. Mom is 85 now and she says she thinks the government boarded up the mine. It's possible the land is still owned by our family.
Does anyone know if it is legal to mine in that area these days?

 

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[Assembler]

Hello
You should be able to find out all the details at your State BLM Office.

 

[Clay Diggins]

If the mine property is still owned by your family you will need to contact the State of Colorado about what permits etc. you might need to reopen the mine.

Once your ancestor purchased the mine property from the government it became patented private property. Once the patent is issued neither the BLM nor any other Federal agency has any say in your mining there.

If your ancestor never patented the property the required annual filings lapsed and the mining claim was closed.

Heavy Pans

 

[KevinInColorado]

There are still active small scale hard rock mines operating in that area.

If your family failed to pay the property taxes over the years, the mine reverted to the county to dispose of just like your house would. Anyone paying annual property taxes on that land?

Clear Creek County or Gilpin County? Either way, start with the county since BLM is not interested in patented land aka private land.

 

[RattlingDan]

I asked my mom about the property this afternoon. She said my cousin should know more about the property's taxes etc.
I'm hoping it still belongs to our family. The wife and I are in the process of retiring and will have time to investigate if we still own it.
In the meantime, we have an aunt in Mariposa, California that has a stream running through her property. I ordered a Grizzly Gold Trap the other day and it may be fun to set that up in the stream.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Sounds like some cool adventures await!!

 

[Hoser John]

I hope this story has a happy ending-John

 

[Assembler]

Time to research and find 'Papers'/

Hello
Clay Diggns pointed out:

Once your ancestor purchased the mine property from the government it became patented private property. Once the patent is issued neither the BLM nor any other Federal agency has any say in your mining there.

Good points. The family may have some 'Papers' to this effect as well. The numbers and wording on those 'Papers' are very important.