Re-opening mines and claims

[steve25]

I'm wondering if I can get some user friendly info on re opening mines? My friend and I live in central Oregon and have been researching this stuff for a bit now, and came to the conclusion that doing any such thing means piles and piles of research and paper work. We are looking in the baker area and the south eastern area of Oregon. We have also looked at the ochocos out of prineville.. We have a friend who has mined for 30 plus years and said he will help out but we have to do all the research because that's going to be the hard work.

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Start at the BLM office,
Phone: (503) 808-6008
Email: orwaland@blm.gov
Hours: 8:45 AM to 4:30 PM (PT), M - F
http://www.blm.gov/or/st/en.html

Gold mining and prospecting is expensive, that is why gold is expensive. Current gold mining regulations, Federal, State and Local permitting, public hearings, yadda, yadda, yadda, make reopening hard rock mines VERY expensive. Good Luck!

 

[vor]

I have been researching the very same thing but not in your area. What I have found is that it is much much easier to buy an operating mine and just keep your permits current. The problem is that there is probably a reason someone is selling the mine. It could be for non-compliance/safety issues or because he thinks that it is played out.
If it is that he believes it is played out, then you have a chance that there may be something he overlooked. A search (or call) to your state's agency could reveal some non-compliance issues which should tell you to stay away.
There are a lot of websites that list claims and mines for sale. I am always skeptical.
au2u

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

Comon down to Mexico lots of misc closed and partially open mines, prospects. Some good, some very poor, some fantastic.

I have one that has about $2,000 a ton Au, Ag, Pb, Cu, and Zc. See state mining agency assay report.

Here is one that I am presently investigating. It has deliberately constructed back fills in the main tunnel? why? Are there more further in ? We shall see. That is one of my crew .

It is the 'El nino' of the Tayopa group.

Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[Mad Machinist]

steve,

In most cases I tell people to stay the hell out of old mines, but considering what I am up to, it would be more than a little hypocritical. When you do go into the mine, make sure you take air monitors, explosive gas monitors, rescue breathers for everyone on the crew, and plenty of climbing gear. A six foot long bar is a necessity also. Use it to test the floor in front of you to look for covered winze. IT was common prctice to cover these with just wood and over time they become both rotten and covered with dust. One misstep and its game over.

You can also use the bar to poke at suspicious looking spots on the roof and check the soundness of timbers without having to get to close.

We spent 8 hours checking out the first 500 feet of this adit and so far it is solid.

Don Jose,

That backfill has me kinda curious. Wonder what is in there.