Mining claims and new regs ???

[squidboy1951]

Hi to everyone,

I am new to the forum and have some questions after reading some very informative posts.

Can you still purchase and prospect on a mining claim, or is it too late due to the new regulations mentioned in " End of Mining Law Protecting Claims is Here" ?? I assume this is on all public lands nationwide??

My sons and I have noticed mining claims for sale on eBay....no mention of the new regulations making the claims off limits to recreational panning.

Is this why the claims are for sale (buyer beware), buy something you are not allowed to use.

Our present administration is attacking our rights and will ruin many peoples business and my recreation. I served my country then worked 32 years and retired, wait, now I am not allowed to recreate on public land !!!! What happened

Thanks for any comments in advance.

 

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[Terry Soloman]

You can still file a placer or hard rock mining claim. The fees are more expensive, and the regulations get more restrictive each year, but yes, gold prospecting on BLM land is still happening. "Buying" a placer gold claim on Ebay is just plain stupid. I don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings, but if you buy a gold claim "online" from an Ebay seller or a "dealer," you will lose your money in a hurry. If you want to get started, join a club, learn the ropes and pay your dues. There are VERY few states left where you can make enough to pay for your gasoline - let alone equipment. The old saying is STILL true: "The best way to make a million dollars gold prospecting, is to start with Two-Million!"

 

[taternut]

I like that saying! Very true! I just started prospecting. I've spent close to $1000 thinking it was the equipment I was using that made me not find anything as to my knowledge and understanding. And the few months and all the money I've spent I've found 3 small flakes lol

 

[squidboy1951]

Mr. Soloman,

I am interested in the reasons why the recreational mining claims are Gone as stated in Hoser Johns post of May 22, 2013. The Club claims are Gone and other doom and gloom coming our way.

Maybe I misread the post, or I should ask my questions back in Hoser Johns post.

The BLM is supposed to manage with multiple use strategy, the wind and solar energy development projects on public lands should not preclude recreational use.

The sale of mining claims or closing the use of Club claims because of these new regulations and energy development is missing a lack of understanding where the claims are located. Streams located in canyons where the wind and solar exposure is limited do not seem to be the ideal location for wind and solar farms not to mention the distance transmission cables would have to be run to get the power to substations would not be economically viable in the placer areas in California that I am familiar with.

 

[Terry Soloman]

I don't know jack about your particular area, but the death of recreational gold prospecting has not happened - yet. Yes, I would PM John, and I would also do my own research. Some areas WILL be restricted, and you will not be able to make new claims in them, but claims that already exist are not affected as far as I know. The BLM is a Mother$%&@!, so they can pretty much do as they please (Think I.R.S.), but so far, nothing has really changed in Arizona and most other gold bearing states.

 

[Fullpan]

Yes, squidboy1951 - Hoser sees the handwriting on the wall, just as he predicted the dredging ban laws years before they were enacted. Don't bet against him,
but for right now you can still get "hobby" amounts of gold in ca.

 

[Hoser John]

KEEP YOUR CASH AND PLAY ON CLUB / OPEN LANDS--WHICH CLUB LOST THEIR CLAIMS YOU MENTIONED?? OC 49rs lost all theirs years ago when us oldies stepped back,1,000s a hours of work and plenty of my cash POOF as the newbie experts took over....sic sic sic-anyhow who lost'm??John

 

[Fullpan]

Mr. Soloman,

I am interested in the reasons why the recreational mining claims are Gone as stated in Hoser Johns post of May 22, 2013. The Club claims are Gone and other doom and gloom coming our way.

Maybe I misread the post, or I should ask my questions back in Hoser Johns post.

The BLM is supposed to manage with multiple use strategy, the wind and solar energy development projects on public lands should not preclude recreational use.

The sale of mining claims or closing the use of Club claims because of these new regulations and energy development is missing a lack of understanding where the claims are located. Streams located in canyons where the wind and solar exposure is limited do not seem to be the ideal location for wind and solar farms not to mention the distance transmission cables would have to be run to get the power to substations would not be economically viable in the placer areas in California that I am familiar with.

If you think the BLM is still pursuing the multi-use strategy, you're a couple years behind the times. They, like the USFS, FWS, USDA are bending to pressures
from enviros that threaten to sue, if other users are allowed on public lands.

 

[golden ray]

The BLM is all about regulations & making money.
If you remember what happen last fall. All through out the spring & summer
of 2012 people knew that BLM was making some major changes to the cost
of owning a claim. I spoke to their Phoenix office at least once a week, trying
to find out what the new regs/changes will be.
Was told EVERY time, that they were drafting a letter, and all the currect claim
holders & clubs will be notified as soon as its ready.
So, everyone paid their yearly fee on their associated claims ( 160 acres ) by
the August 31st dead line. AND THOUGHT they were covered for another year !!!!
2 months later BLM send out a letter demanding payment on every 20 acres in a
claim. YES, its still an 'associate claim' but filed under one name. THE BLM DOES NOT
WANT TO CREATE MORE PAPERWORK FOR THEMSELF.!!!!
SO now you are paying for 8 claims, not just 1 claim. The right thing to do would be
to let claim holders know that the next year cost will be increasing, since they already
paid for their claim on schedule,months earlier. BUT NO, " SEND IN FULL PAYMENT NOW,
OR YOUR ( PAID ) CLAIM WILL BE INVALID" These are their actual words.
Now you had to decide weather to pay 7 times as much, within 30 days, or lose your
claims.
AND EVERYONE KNOWS BLM DOES NOT REFUND MONEY. Seen it only happen twice.