Looking for a map of local mines

[oidium45]

Hello everyone!
I am located near the Mojave desert in Los Angeles county (Antelope Valley, Rosamond, Mojave) and there are old mines EVERYWHERE. I was wondering if anyone had access to a good map showing old mines in my area and maybe even some information on each. I was considering detecting around some of them particularly the tailings. Most of the mines from what I can tell appear to be old mines from the early 1900s and on public land. But I wouldn't mind making absolutely sure it is public land before heading out. Also, some history on the mines would be a good read

Thanks in advance!

 

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[Lanny in AB]

Hello everyone!
I am located near the Mojave desert in Los Angeles county (Antelope Valley, Rosamond, Mojave) and there are old mines EVERYWHERE. I was wondering if anyone had access to a good map showing old mines in my area and maybe even some information on each. I was considering detecting around some of them particularly the tailings. Most of the mines from what I can tell appear to be old mines from the early 1900s and on public land. But I wouldn't mind making absolutely sure it is public land before heading out. Also, some history on the mines would be a good read

Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

Check some prospecting shops in your area, or check for ones online that sell maps for your area. Some shops sell great maps showing old locations.

All the best,

Lanny

 

[Mackaydon]

I suggest you contact the California Department of Conservation
Mines and Mineral Resources
801 K Street, MS 08-38
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 323-7696
FAX: (916) 324-6490
mrmhmp@consrv.ca.gov
Don......
PS: Welcome to Treasure Net !!

 

[californiagold]

im not sure of the web address, but they have a kml or kmz file to overlay google earth. it shows a lot of mine locations for all California. it is from USGS mining spatial data. maybe someone here knows where to download it. also try googling CDNC. it is the old cali newspapers from 1848 till now. use their searchbox on home page. type in the county that you are going to with words like "Lump or Nugget, or Rich diggings etc AFTER THE COUNTY NAME. then check out the newspaper editions. read the articles, pay attention to the locations. look them up on topo maps. then head out. Also there is a website called Minecache that has maps of most mines in cali. and also where everybodys active claims are. and closed claims. I think it cost like 30 dollars a year. not sure. good luck

 

[Goldwasher]

Before even getting into the history you need to check on current status.

use Land Matters Maps

and trips to your county recorder to look for what hasn't made it to online sources yet.

There are a lot of claims in those areas. Learn to check for them.

 

[oidium45]

Thank you all for the info! They all seem like good suggestions. If I find anything worth sharing I will be sure to do so.

 

[Hoser John]

As posted by Mack they have the Mines and Minerals Of SB county and also Mines and Minerals of Riverside county as I sold many 100s back in the day. GREAT maps with who,what and where and also the colorized Geologic overlay in 1:250,000 format-John

 

[oidium45]

Thanks guys! I found myself searching around on that "land matters maps" site for a few hours last night. It doesn't contain anything about the older mines here but there were quite a bit listed that I was unaware of so I was really enjoying the site!

 

[Hoser John]

Not enough coffee yesterday. NEVER underestimate the local Historical Society, museums and library as a treasure chest of knowledge awaits-John

 

[Relichunter1]

If local maintenance fees were paid at county assessors, but claimant has not sent in a NOI ( Notice of Intent to hold claim to BLM by Dec 30 is the claim still valid or forfeited ?

 

[Clay Diggins]

If local maintenance fees were paid at county assessors, but claimant has not sent in a NOI ( Notice of Intent to hold claim to BLM by Dec 30 is the claim still valid or forfeited ?

Claimants have to make a public record at the County Recorders office and an informational filing with the BLM each year. If the claimants did both in a timely manner there is no reason to suspect the claim is not valid.

Whatever filings or payments were made to the county assessor have no bearing on whether a claim is legally current and valid as long as the recording and notice were made.

Heavy Pans

 

[Relichunter1]

Thanks Heavy Pans,

So as I understand it, the BLM requires you to file the required NOI notice of intent on time which is December 31 or you forfeit the affected mining claim or sites. So why would a claimant only file an affidavit of assessment work and pay the fee with the county recorder and not complete the NOI and pay fee to the BLM? I just wonder how many claims that appear valid at the county recorder's office are not actually valid because of failure to complete proper forms with the BLM. So actually its best to call the BLM and ask for current statues of said public land and verify if its claimed or not.

 

[Clay Diggins]

Thanks Heavy Pans,

So as I understand it, the BLM requires you to file the required NOI notice of intent on time which is December 31 or you forfeit the affected mining claim or sites. So why would a claimant only file an affidavit of assessment work and pay the fee with the county recorder and not complete the NOI and pay fee to the BLM? I just wonder how many claims that appear valid at the county recorder's office are not actually valid because of failure to complete proper forms with the BLM. So actually its best to call the BLM and ask for current statues of said public land and verify if its claimed or not.

I think you are confusing two different processes. If the claimants paid their maintenance fee by August 31 with the BLM they have completed their obligation to the BLM for the year. Maintenance fees are not paid to the County Recorder or the County assessor - only to the BLM.

Those who qualify for and have notified the BLM before September 1st of their small miner status have until December 30th (not the 31st) to file a copy of their recorded Affidavit of Assessment Work OR their Recorded Notice of Intent to Hold. Which they record and file depends on their situation. There are no circumstances where both an Affidavit of Assessment Work and a Notice of Intent to Hold are required.

There are no "forms" for either the Affidavit of Assessment Work or Notice of Intent to Hold. The only official BLM form for mining claims is the 3830-2 Small Miners Waiver which is a no fee notice. Here's a flow chart so you can see how all this works and some guidelines to the process.

The BLM can not inform you of Land Status or whether it's claimed or not. Claims are made on the ground, made public at the County Recorder's and an informational notice filed with the BLM. It may take several months before the BLM shares that information notice so there is nothing "current" from the BLM and there is no guarantee of accuracy. Each prospector is required by law to do their own due diligence before entering the land to prospect or locate. The BLM informational filings are only a small step in that process. The BLM can not and should not be relied on to tell you whether any particular area can be prospected.

Look over those materials I linked to and decide based on all the facts, including looking for stakes on the ground, whether the area you are interested in is open to prospecting. Ultimately it is your problem if you trespass on an active claim, no one from the BLM will be there to defend you.

I hope that helps.

Heavy Pans

 

[Relichunter1]

Thanks for clearing that up for me....I appreciate the knowledge you shared. I will check out the links.