My claim had a drift tunnel into it. They went about 300 feet into the side of the channel and did'nt find bedrock to run on. That is the problem with my claim, good gold in the gravels, But I would like to find the basement bottom.
According to the BLM, I have a "Placer Mine" within my claim boundries. I have gotten a history of the claim from the previous claimants. The G-father dug a shaft and a tunnel that intersect about 50 ft. down. There is supposed to be an exposed vien. I'm thinking of filing a "Tunnel site" or "Lode claim" on it to keep others from filing within my Placer claim. I still have to get inside to check it out. I do have an experianced hard rock miner who's brain I can pick, he just doesn't know the ins and outs of filing and regulations.
Thanks for the input guys, and I'll check out nuggetshooter .com. I'll look into that BLM book too.
Congratulations on having a lode site within your placer claim. You are very fortunate. It is my understanding (havent seen it in writing yet though) no one can file a lode claim on top of your placer claim unless you give them express consent to do so. Although not your situation, I understand someone can file a placer claim on top of a lode claim, just not vice versa. Please keep us updated as you move forward. Best of luck.
Get ready to shell out the money. I have been looking at a few lode claims myself: most are on BLM land in Northern CA and are obviously unpatented. I do not have the experience or knowledge to "claim" a lode or placer claim. The one I am looking at is for sale and obviously claimed and on file.
From what I have learned there are very few folks that do this "solo". Most need investors and mentors with lots of knowledge. Lots of historical info on the mine I am looking at but no one has been in it since the gov't closed all mines in 1942. I am looking at $250,000 just in equipment cost and reserves before ever blowing the first stick of dynamite. About $15-18,000 a month in salary for a 3 man, experienced mining crew. This will be a full time endeavor for me if I do it. Lots of info to digest before then. Will be visiting the site at the end of August with mentor/consultant. Trying to get funding in place to see if it is even feasible. Not sure this helps. But from what I have studied lode claims are nothing like placer claims.
andrew hall > Biram ChapmanJuly 30, 2009 at 1:03am
filing,and holding a rock claim,bonding and working said claim, two different things.as far as mentoring goes,register at nuggetshooter.com. and ask 29 prospector,he has the answers,and he dont mind sharing knowledge.
also, i suggest that you dowload the blm book, location and validity of mining claims, and sites,california. you can pdf this dictionary size book, and possibly be your own expert! prbly not haha but whats to lose.
Replies
Thanks for the input guys, and I'll check out nuggetshooter .com. I'll look into that BLM book too.
I'll def look into that.
From what I have learned there are very few folks that do this "solo". Most need investors and mentors with lots of knowledge. Lots of historical info on the mine I am looking at but no one has been in it since the gov't closed all mines in 1942. I am looking at $250,000 just in equipment cost and reserves before ever blowing the first stick of dynamite. About $15-18,000 a month in salary for a 3 man, experienced mining crew. This will be a full time endeavor for me if I do it. Lots of info to digest before then. Will be visiting the site at the end of August with mentor/consultant. Trying to get funding in place to see if it is even feasible. Not sure this helps. But from what I have studied lode claims are nothing like placer claims.