If you work in mineral exploration, land development, or natural resource consulting, understanding how to file and manage mining claims on public land is crucial. In the United States, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees this process for federal lands under the General Mining Law of 1872.

Whether you’re a geologist, a GIS specialist, or a small-scale prospector, this guide breaks down the basics of creating a mining claim with the BLM—from identifying open land to recording your claim properly.

1. Understand What a Mining Claim Is

A mining claim gives you the right to explore and extract minerals from a specific area of federal public land. It does not give you ownership of the land itself.

There are two main types of claims:

Lode claims: For mineral veins in solid rock

Placer claims: For minerals in loose material

You’ll also find mill sites and tunnel sites, which support mining operations.

2. Identify Open Land

You must ensure the land is open to mineral entry. Some areas are withdrawn due to environmental protections, tribal land status, or other federal restrictions.

Tools to help:

  • BLM’s LR2000 or MLRS (Mineral & Land Records System) – to check land status and existing claims.
  • Geospatial Data – GIS layers of claim boundaries, surface management, and mineral rights.

Pro tip: Use GIS software like QGIS or ArcGIS to overlay BLM data and locate unclaimed areas.

3. Locate Your Claim in the Field

Physically go to the site and “locate” your claim:

  • Place discovery monuments on the ground.
  • Clearly mark claim corners with posts or stone mounds.
  • Create a location notice describing:
  1. Claim name
  2. Type (lode/placer)
  3. Date of discovery
  4. Legal land description (e.g., Township/Range/Section)
  • Take accurate GPS coordinates to support your claim map.

4. File With the County Recorder

Within 90 days of locating your claim, you must:

Record your location notice with the county recorder in the county where the claim is located.

Each state has its own fees and forms, so be sure to check with your local county office.

5. File With the BLM

Within 90 days, also file with the BLM State Office:

  • A copy of your location notice
  • A claim map (usually a USGS topo with your claim marked)
  • Maintenance fees or a small miner’s waiver (if you qualify)
  • Claim location fee (currently $40 per claim)
  • Processing fee (currently $15 per claim)
  • Maintenance fee (currently $165 per claim, subject to annual change)

Tip: Use the MLRS e-filing portal to streamline your claim submissions online.

The image is related to mining claims for BLM in Nevada, USA, creation, and how its process is step by step guide

6. Maintain Your Claim

Mining claims aren’t “set and forget.” To keep them active:

  • Pay annual maintenance fees by September 1 each year.
  • File an Affidavit of Assessment Work or a Notice of Intent to Hold, depending on the claim type and your operations.

Neglecting this will result in claim abandonment.

7. Know the Legal and Environmental Obligations

Claiming land doesn’t exempt you from environmental laws. Before extracting minerals:

  • File a Plan of Operations or Notice of Intent with the BLM.
  • Comply with NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) if required.
  • Avoid surface disturbance in protected or restricted zones.

Navigating BLM mining claims can be complex, but it’s manageable with the right tools and knowledge. GIS professionals and consultants are increasingly playing a role in helping clients map, manage, and optimize mining claims efficiently.

Don’t Want to Handle the Paperwork? We’ve Got You Covered

Filing a mining claim involves legal documents, maps, deadlines, and agency coordination, and it can be overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the process.

If managing the document side feels too technical or time-consuming, we can take care of it for you.

Our services include:

  • Preparing claim location notices
  • Creating BLM-compliant claim maps using GIS
  • Handling county-level filings
  • Checking through the BLM MLRS portal

Whether you’re a solo prospector or a growing exploration firm, we’ll ensure everything is filed correctly and on time, so you can focus on the field, not the forms.

📩 Message us to get started or to learn more about our BLM mining claim documentation packages.

💬 Have you helped file or map mining claims? Share your experience or tips in the comments.

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