Hello out there fellow prospectors , what are the rules , laws and regulations on small scale prospect mining in the now new designated wilderness in eastern Oregon ? . When I was a young kid back in the 1970s there were people doing placer mining along the trail on a medium size stream , digging dirt from the benches and sluicing the material. I Recently found out the area I use to go is now wilderness . : ( I would like to go into the area with 12 volt powered equipment using solar power and a invereter using a shop vac to suction dredge the river / stream bottom with no discharge back into the river. I would be using a Gold Hog Excavator Mini Highbanker and run the machine way back from the stream discharging the dirty water into a small to medium size pit that I would dig . There would be very little damage done from my small scale operation . were are my rights regarding the old time mining laws which are set in place since the 1800s law . Thanks Eric Westman
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Things have gotten a bit more involved concerning suction dredge mining, placer mining, high banking and prospecting here in Oregon. It seems that the regulating State Agencies somehow manage to change most of the rules and regulations as they see fit anymore. So, the best advice that might be offered would be to check with the DSL (Dept. of State Lands), the DEQ (Dept. of Environmental Quality), The BLM, National Forest Service and Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife for the State of Oregon to see what permits you will need for the area you wish to work. Those websites will tell you if your particular area is in an Essential Salmon Habitat designated area or not and tell you what you need to do. If it is, then you will find out which permits (700 PM) you will need to get and be advised of any applicable fees that you will be charged for the privilege of prospecting in those areas. High Banking takes an entirely different permit (600 PM) and you will get that info from the website..... also info concerning any motorized mining equipment. If you are going to just pan or sluice, you more than likely do not need a permit, but check the various sites to be sure. Best of Luck to you and hope you get lots of nice, yellow gold in your area.