| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHAPTER I—MINING LAWS | ||
| Mining Districts | [1] | |
| Federal Mining Laws | [2] | |
| State Mining Laws | [5] | |
| Abstract of State Laws | [6] | |
| Survey—Legal Interrelationships | [14] | |
| CHAPTER II-DISCOVERY AND LOCATION | ||
| Lode Claims | [19] | |
| Placer Claims | [25] | |
| Mill Sites | [25] | |
| Tunnel Sites | [26] | |
| General | [26] | |
| CHAPTER III—MINERAL SURVEYORS | ||
| Appointments | [29] | |
| Qualification | [30] | |
| Duties of the Mineral Surveyor | [30] | |
| Contract for Surveys | [31] | |
| Restrictions | [32] | |
| CHAPTER IV—APPLICATION AND ORDER FOR SURVEY | ||
| CHAPTER V—THE PATENT SURVEY | ||
| Field Work | [39] | |
| Office Work | [50] | |
| Processing the Survey | [52] | |
| Departures From the Normal Procedure | [54] | |
| CHAPTER VI—RESURVEYS | ||
| GLOSSARY OF MINING TERMS | ||
| APPENDIX | ||
| INDEX | ||
FOREWORD
Mineral surveys are made to mark the legal boundaries of mineral deposits or ore-bearing formations on the public domain where the boundaries are determined by lines other than the normal subdivision of the public lands. These surveys include the usual surveying technical procedures and the examination and documentation of various reports and certificates necessary to substantiate legal procedures.
Understanding the basis for performance of mineral surveys is imperative for the United States Mineral Surveyors as well as for those who are involved with processing mineral survey returns, those who evaluate claim validity, and for those cadastral surveyors who are involved in retracing original mineral surveys.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This Guide was prepared by John V. Meldrum, U.S. Mineral Surveyor (ret.) under the direction of the Cadastral and Mapping Training Staff, Denver Service Center, Bureau of Land Management. Mr. Meldrum’s many years of expertise in mineral surveys, and his professionalism as a mineral surveyor are invaluable elements of its contents.
In compiling the Guide, assistance was obtained from all of the State Offices of the BLM, and gratitude is expressed to those cadastral survey individuals who gave of their time and advice in assisting with its preparation. The contribution of the Cadastral Survey Staff of the California State Office is particularly acknowledged.
CHAPTER I
Mining Laws
Mining Districts
1–1 When gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California in 1849 no provisions had been made by the Congress of the United States for the disposition of minerals on the public domain of the West. After a feeble attempt at leasing, the copper and iron deposits of the Great Lakes region as well as the lead deposits of Missouri were sold outright to the highest bidder with minimum prices set from $2.50 to $5.00 per acre. Consequently, the prospectors and miners of California formed mining districts to provide self-government and maintain law and order. These districts could be as small as a square mile, while others covered an area several townships in size.