STAKING MINING CLAIMS? Don't Even Think About It Until You Watch This!

[@roscoe4092]

I’ve dreamed of making a living prospecting since I was a kid, now I’m finally old enough. Thank you for the information!!

[@ChrisRalph]

I promise to make the "part 2" version of this during the summer, I'll include a lot of practical tips for the field. Best of luck to you!

[@joshuamedina6994]

@@ChrisRalph do you have an email where I could ask you a few questions?

[@emeryryan2415]

sorry to be offtopic but does anybody know a method to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly forgot my password. I would appreciate any help you can give me

[@experimentalprogramming1758]

@@ChrisRalph would you happen to know any affordable ways of getting the mineral rights to your own private property?

[@dicktrickle782]

@@experimentalprogramming1758 If you own the property, you already own the minerals... Unless the mineral rights were sold in the past.

[@TioGrassiente]

WOW! I was just looking for claim info with no expectation of fining anything other than money grab schemes... WOW! This awesome useful info. Thanks.

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it, I am actually finally starting to work on part 2 of these video.

[@waltertodd4479]

Chris, the 1872 mining law says that a US citizen over 18 years of age may go out and stake mining claims on federal public lands that are open to mineral entry. A key term here is that lands are open to mineral entry. There are many closed public lands. Be advised from one who found very valuable copper- gold lands and filled mining claims paying $3600 in filing fees only to have blm kill these claims one year later. They finally got around to realizing that these lands where my 13 claims were filed were actually closed to mineral entry. They never returned my filing fees too. Always check the land status first! 1. To see if other claims are already there and 2. These lands are open to the 1872 mining law. FYI.

[@ChrisRalph]

I agree that it is extremely important to check the open to entry and claim status first.

[@maryglo1]

Why did they not return your money and oops, their mistake Mr. Miner! Send you in the direction of open claims, abandoned...🎼🎶🗽🎵🇺🇸💖🐦

[@waltertodd4479]

In the old glorious days, when the mining law ruled the land and the USA wanted to produce wealth BLM used to do just that. Now BLM wants to downplay the mining law in favor of a mineral leasing system and only cares for revenues received off mining law fees. It's not about mineral development by the individual but instead has become what is best from the governments viewpoint. Socialism = the government knows what's best for you.

[@withinhistoriesgrasp9307]

Can you have a 20 acre parcel tunnel claim? And do you own the rights above ground as well? Can you have a millling claim on top of your mining claim by planting trees there as well? Without losing any extra parcels? Can you also have a mining claim as part of or on top of the tunnel claim? Placer or hard rock claims? So can you put every type of claim at one and have 8 parcels or so and they all be 20 acres or mroe

[@waltertodd4479]

​@withinhistoriesgrasp9307 The purpose of the 1872 mining law is to facilitate mining and milling of minerals. How would your configuration of various claims types address those purposes. If not, it's not a legal use of the various claim types. Surface occupancy must be authorized first, either with a notice or a plan of operations.

[@roseannarabia6461]

Thank you so much! I've been watching your videos for a while now and many others from other prospectors, but I have learned so much from this one video that I now feel confident with what I'm doing. I just purchased your book today from Amazon and can't wait for it to come in!

[@ChrisRalph]

Great to hear! Thanks for the kind words.

[@DavidBelliveau]

It's a whole lot easier in New Brunswick. First, you need a prospector's license. $100. Then you can go on a website and do map staking. Each claim is about 22 hectares and costs $10 to register. Then you need to show that you've done $100 of work on the claim in the next 12 months to keep it current as well as another $10 to keep it going for another year. Each year the amount of work done on the claim goes up and eventually the cost to re-register goes up. But all in all, it's easy, relatively inexpensive. The pain in the neck comes in when you do actual mining. Then you spend lots of money doing environmental assessments, you have to get a mining plan approved, you have to pay the government 15% of everything you find. And there's also the cost of the mining lease. It's not horribly onerous, but it's also not a piece of cake. There's no such thing as a placer claim. It's all mining and you have to jump through all the hoops whether you're setting up a dredge or driving a 2,000 meter adit into a mountain.

[@oneflyinggirl]

David Belliveau where do you live? I grew up near Bouctouche and would love to return some day.

[@nathanaelmukyanga3866]

David Belliveau what about in Ontario ?

[@stevendx6601]

Some states have found themselves saddled with unelected officials that just arbitrarily make up fees with no justification. They do not need personalized studies for every site. They know the worst that can happen. And if you get a complicated environmental assessment high dollar fee they will certainly require bonds out of the reach of say a homeless person. Maybe you have to shop around and see which communities are friendly and which are not. Back in the day I believe I read 100% went to the Queen in England? Not sure about that, but todays laws must certainly be more friendly.

[@Simpilot757]

Staking a mining claim is so on my bucket list. Thanks for the info Chris!

[@ChrisRalph]

I'll be doing more claim work in 2020.

[@goldinveins4777]

Thanks for your straight to the point video. I found a good place to stake a claim in Oregon. Very excited!!! ⚒️

[@brunocassivi4979]

Gr@titude !! Yul !!

[@jasonvoorheis1984]

I bought your book from Dan at the Owl Cafe. He highly recommended it. Thanks for your video

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you liked the video

[@richtyler1353]

Thank you so much I appreciate all your help. This is something I plan on doing next year and never really knew how to get started. Really appreciate it

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad I could help!

[@Aprilsquest1979]

I live in Reno and am excited to learn everything about this! So lucky to live in Nevada. 🇺🇸✅

[@ChrisRalph]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@realgsdontdie5095]

Nevada is a beautiful Blue State! Thinking about buying some property outside of Nixon near Reno!

[@alexgibbs2636]

Can you do more detailed videos of gold around Tucson Arizona please

[@ChrisRalph]

Probably not as I live in Northern Nevada. There is a book called gold placers of Arizona, by Maureen Johnson. If search on Google you can find it for free download. Read for yourself about the areas near Tucson that you are interested in.

[@phillipjacobson4498]

Hi Chris I have a concern with reclamation. In Oregon the blm may have miners place $ deposits on there claims before working them to insure you do after reclamation. I found a spot with good color. But it had Ben worked by 1900 placer minors in a dry gulch seasonal dry. Any way the ground is torn up and rocks stacked. I'm worried blm will allow me to file then hit me with reclomation in work I didn't do. Have you any experience?

[@ChrisRalph]

The problem is that BLM is different in every jurisdiction. What may pass in Nevada may not pass in Oregon. What may pass in Arizona may not be approved in California. You can only approach the BLM and tell them of your plans and concerns and ask what they will allow. The laws are written in a vague way and each manager interprets things as he sees fit. If anyone wants to fight about it, the issue goes to court where it can cost huge amounts of money and take forever.

[@phillipjacobson4498]

@@ChrisRalph Thank you for your response. Have you ever heard of any one having this trouble?

[@ChrisRalph]

I've not heard of anyone being required to clean up before actually working the ground. Have heard of folks who disturbed an area and were required to clean up there mess and the old historic ones, have also heard of people who were prevented from working their ground because the old workings were deemed historic and could not be disturbed.

[@michaellayman6921]

Off topic im buying my own land and want to put a lake after seeing a old rock quarry I'm getting my CDL not sure what laws are against diging stone for a quarry if I own the land

[@richardrobertson1331]

Phillip Jacobson, in Nevada you are not required to clean up (re-claim) an old mine unless you start digging into one of the rock piles, regardless of the mess left by the previous miner. Even then, the only reclamation you are required to do is the dirt and rock you moved around . . . but not until you stop mining. (So take pictures to document everything). If you are still actively mining, then any required reclamation is postponed until you stop or, if you lease out your rights to someone else to mine your claim, you don't have to reclaim the surface until he stops mining it. BLM will periodically come by and inspect unannounced and if they see a lot of ugly surface debris, they may assess you (a reclamation Bond) and may shut down your mining activities until that bond is funded. Old buildings and machinery can be bulldozed into one of your open pits then covered over to match the surrounding contour. Like Chris said, every state has different rules, even though it's still the same BLM. Personally, I wouldn't touch a mine in Oregon or California.

[@tombeilman5579]

Tonopoh in the area of the turquoise reality show. Heard it’s harder to get the small miners exemptions on the 10 claims at least in AZ

[@ChrisRalph]

The 10 claim exemption is a federal law, so it should be the same everywhere. Glad you enjoyed the video. I knew Dean Otteson - he passed a couple years back.

[@terrybryant2079]

Chris, information that is of tremendous value! Thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad it was helpful! There is a part 2 of this video - see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWrGZKprf7GHgck

[@withinhistoriesgrasp9307]

Can you have a 20 acre parcel tunnel claim? And do you own the rights above ground as well?

[@ChrisRalph]

You own rights to the minerals. You do not own the surface.

[@bobjohnson9947]

Chris, your KZbin videos are outstanding! This video about staking a claim, and your subsequent follow-up Part 2 video about staking a claim are great - but as a newbie I am still confused about the logistics of beginning this process. Once a newbie like myself has done some research to identify a potential claim area that is open to mineral entry, can you briefly explain how the process starts? I assume most federal lands open to mineral entry will be far from Interstate, State, or County roads. Do prospectors need to have off-road vehicles to reach most areas that are open to mineral entry? Or do most prospectors hike in on foot with their supplies? If prospectors use off-road vehicles or hike in by foot to their identified land open to mineral entry, are they trespassing on such federal land or is federal land open to mineral entry by definition open to being physically traversed across by vehicle or foot without committing any trespassing violations? Finally, when staking a claim out, I understand the 4 stakes needed to identify the 4 corners of the claim, but can a 'discovery monument' only be erected once valuable gold or silver has been physically discovered, or can a 'discovery monument' be erected when the prospector feels there is a good probability that valuable gold or silver may be found within the boundaries of the claim? Thanks.

[@ChrisRalph]

Bob - please download and read the 2 pamphlets I recommend in the video. The links to download them are in the description for both videos. These will answer your questions and give you even more info. And no, claimable lands are not always a long distance from roadways.

[@maryglo1]

There are fire protection roads in CA but I fear they may be quite overgrown with dead branches and dangerous hanging branches. Be aware. Take a saw and clippers.

[@theyard6958]

This is excellent information. It's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

[@ChrisRalph]

I have a second video about staking mining claims, and you might want to look at that also for additional information.

[@mohammadchaudhry1255]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us

[@ChrisRalph]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Mattytube18]

Hi Chris, thank you for the video. Do you have a video on how to assess the value of a claim that is for sale?

[@ChrisRalph]

There are many different ways to value a claim depending on what its intended use is.

[@burlcarl3569]

Chris. Do you have a video on who or where to sell your gold to?

[@ChrisRalph]

I talk about that in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXPQaaCkl7KMqcU

[@georgesenda1952]

I assume that the offices are closed with the pandemic. How do you get proof of your claim sent to you ?

[@ChrisRalph]

No, the offices are not closed, but if you want to go in person, you need to make an appointment.

[@bobc.5698]

Have you uploaded part 2? I can't find it.

[@ChrisRalph]

Not yet and it will be a few months now as the snow has fallen here. But I will do a part 2, its coming.

[@ecv03]

Can't wait to see it.

[@merlebush11]

I live in a city where a jewelry store burned to the ground back in the day. Can I file a claim to recover the minerals such as jewelry that was lost in the claim?

[@ChrisRalph]

You can't file a claim on someone else's private property. Only on some types of ground owned by the government - this is explained clearly in the video.

[@roscoe4092]

Lmao

[@patrickgalloway5078]

Chris what do you think about 10 grams of seeable gold to 36 pounds of ore..?

[@ChrisRalph]

10 grams of gold in 36 pounds of rock would be very high grade ore. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@patrickgalloway5078]

Chris would you be interested in buying 22 pounds of gold ore with visible gold? I can send pics

[@charadremur333]

@@patrickgalloway5078 what amount have you gotten in the past?

[@Smithsgold]

another good video

[@richardrobertson1331]

Chris, I have two quick questions: First, are BLM's north/south lines magnetic or true north? And, second: Once I have located an area on google earth, for example, and have determined there is no active claim on the books for that spot, and if I plan to hike there, how do I know the spot that I like is the same spot on my google earth map without hiring a survey crew? There are no known markers sitting on the ground for me to use as a reference and in order to file a claim, BLM wants accuracy. The GPS on my phone doesn't work in Junebug, Nevada.

[@ChrisRalph]

With a minor errors in a few places, they are true N/S not magnetic. Use coordinates off Google Earth. If somehow your phone GPS wont work, you may need a regular GPS unit.

[@richardrobertson1331]

@@ChrisRalph , thanks for responding to my inquiry. I love your channel, so please keep up the good work.

[@509PNW]

Hello Chris Ralph, I was wondering if a person can claim a closed load claim in washington state.

[@ChrisRalph]

I'm not 100% sure I understand your question. If there was a valid claim and it was just abandoned by a previous owner, you can file a claim on it. If a previous claim was tossed out because it was land not open to claim (like a national monument or such), then no you cant file on it. Please take a look at my 2 videos on mining claims - these will answer a lot of your questions. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4C2q4WeZqmUbZY and kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWrGZKprf7GHgck

[@BrettHoustonTube]

Thanks for the info! What about building a structure or placing an RV on the site and staying long-term to work the claim?

[@ChrisRalph]

As noted in the video, the claim gives you rights to minerals, not rights to live on the land as if it were private property. Its still government land and you'd need government permission to put an RV on the property for the long term.

[@BrettHoustonTube]

@@ChrisRalph Ok thanks

[@TruthWatcherD]

Did the part 2 of this ever get produced where you went out on the field to spot and obtain a claim? Which department should I go to for staking a claim? I see so many public spot that haven't t been touched by prospectors.

[@ChrisRalph]

Part 2 is still on my list and it will get done, but more likely now in 2021. Covid has messed up many plans for stuff. There are two publications I strongly recommend in the video. Download those two pamphlets and read them carefully and you will understand the process. They will answer your question and many more.

[@TruthWatcherD]

@@ChrisRalph Ok sweet! Thank you Chris!

[@SuperStevemiami]

Can you recommend a reliable, reasonably inexpensive handheld GPS unit for work in the field?

[@ChrisRalph]

Garmin makes a number of them, it depends on the features you need. Take a look at what they offer.

[@hjsigcjj3]

Thank you for the inspiration

[@ChrisRalph]

glad you enjoyed it.

[@williamgipson6558]

Chris, Thanks for the information video. Had a couple of questions and was hoping you could answer them for me. Do you have to live in the state where you file for a mining claim? Where and how can you find out if someone has not renewed their mining claim? Thanks, William

[@ChrisRalph]

You dont need to live in the state where you locate claims. The BLM keeps records of who has renewed their claims, though the records often run a couple months behind the times. Look up the BLM page - it is under LR2000. I am glad you enjoyed the video.

[@donhearn4405]

Was 9-11 a controlled demolition

[@AnunGnocchi]

No. 2 planes knocked down 3 buildings.@@donhearn4405

[@frantech6935]

Let's suppose I'm out in the desert southwest on BLM land and I stumble across a gold vein. Do I have to file a claim to recover it? Let's say it is visible and no digging is required to recover it. I have read all I can find online and it seems that if I'm not having to excavate, I don't have to file a claim to legally recover something like this if this situation occurred. Some might say that you want to do this to protect the claim, but if this situation were to happen, you might not want to attract attention to the property. I used to have a friend that made a living by locating claims and leasing them to mining companies but unfortunately he is no longer living so I'm not sure who to ask.

[@ChrisRalph]

If you are not doing any digging, just picking up a few pieces, then you don't need a claim. As I think you are noting, if someone else stakes a claim there, they can prevent you from picking up minerals.

[@phillipjacobson4457]

Isn't sticking a pick shovel or trowel into the ground and moving dirt to the side excavation? Gota pay for the rights to move the dirt, wash water, and reclimation. Reclamation is hardly talked about and is the most important part of mining as it cost a lot. Cant dig, make piles of rocks and piles of dirt, and old equipment laying around any more like the old timers did.

[@8polyglot]

Does one need to find evidence of some type of mineral before selling the claim to someone? Does evidence of a mineral need to be found to stake a claim? I’m more interested in making a profit by creating and selling claims than mining myself-is this possible?

[@ChrisRalph]

Technically you are supposed to make a discovery before you stake the claim. This does not mean you need to have piles of gold in hand. You may discover a special geology that indicates gold is likely to be found on the claim - that is still a discovery. I make money selling or leasing out mining claims. For more details, see this video of mine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXPQaaCkl7KMqcU

[@theJuanderingprospector]

love your book Chris have learned so much thank you.

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@jimj208]

Book ordered, thank you sir

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks and I'm sure you will enjoy it!

[@erikboucher8494]

Your latest videos have been helpful and I've recently bought your book. Can you recommend some advanced textbooks on gold deposits directed at professional geologists that go beyond the individual prospector?

[@ChrisRalph]

Sure, most professional level work is focused on commercial sized hard rock deposits, not placers (as most small prospectors are interested in). Also, most professional level stuff focuses on one type or even on one aspect of one type of deposit... Here is a link to an online report that is fairly technical and 17 pages long - www.911metallurgist.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Models-and-Exploration-Methods-for-Major-Gold-Deposit-Types.pdf Once you find a specific type you are interested in like Orogenic deposits (AKA Mother Lode type ), you can just use google to find more papers on that specific type.

[@erikboucher8494]

@@ChrisRalph Wow this is really interesting stuff. I've been studying your book and focusing on the geology section so far. I just noticed the recommended books in the back, and haven't dug into your website yet. I heard that there were 12 different deposition models and look forward to learning about them in depth. This paper is perfect timing to read about what I'm finding on YT. Thanks!

[@TurboTyler]

Do we have to pay taxes on gold that we sell? And at what rate and how much can we sell before we have to pay taxes.

[@ChrisRalph]

Yes, we pay taxes, and your tax rate depends on many factors.

[@cashrainbow]

I watch your videos and see you know what you're taking about, question. I'm prospecting a state park mountains, Monte Sano, in Huntsville, AL. The only water source is natural springs which produces water falls throughout the park, 1100 Acer's, so could I find good there because no uck so far after weeks of detecting and panning. Oh, the park sits up about 2500 feet above sea level.

[@ChrisRalph]

There is gold in AL, but not a lot. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@cashrainbow]

Thanks for the reply, Chris and about to buy your book, looks good. I have found gold in parts of Alabama but wondering if the area I mentioned that doesn't have a river running through it may produce any gold. I'm kind of like the guy that thinks there's a maybe but one of your videos states don't waste time at one spot. Hope I'm not bugging you. I did find a 5gram peice growned around and imbedded with some quarts material Imran really grown together and tested for 14k, which is strange, any thoughts?

[@ChrisRalph]

All natural gold is impure. Most is around 80 to 90% pure but some is as low as 14K (which is about 60% pure).

[@kylestrokelitus360]

Very helpful. Thank you. Do you have networking connections where i could find a small local interest group (not the monopoly miners around me or the government cause it appears very political) cause im doing this all on the self educating with of course your help and others alike.

[@kylestrokelitus360]

Also I was wondering on the legal rights to refine minerals from landscaping rock that you purchase (would it be considered placer) if a triaxle of gravel is ordered and dumped in my driveway? What about cleanfill someone is giving away truck loads for free?

[@ChrisRalph]

Processing is a whole different world. Rules vary from one state to another. A lot depends on what you are doing, etc. The closest thing to a group like you are seeking is a local prospecting club. But really I would strongly urge you to read the two pamphlets on claim laws and procedures mentioned in the video. Then you will know for yourself.

[@sandman1467]

Aloha Chris, I'm currently in Montana Have Montana, Kentucky and/or Tennessee adopted the Mining Law? I will probably be asking you many questions as I watch all your videos?

[@ChrisRalph]

I say so right in the video which states have adopted it.

[@11Evalone]

People in Oregon were claiming obsidian but that is a non locatable mineral. So, people are claiming the magnetite in the obsidian and continuing to mine the obsidian. Is this right? Feels wrong and a form of manipulation of the rules.

[@ChrisRalph]

I'm not a lawyer or a judge. Iron ore is locatable, but traces of Iron minerals is not really iron ore.

[@11Evalone]

@@ChrisRalph gotcha, thanks for your feedback

[@lestersnoderly1579]

Hi Chris, I am a new prospector and find your information very interesting and valuable. I spent last summer out on a claim and really enjoyed the adventure. Collected some concentrate and it is really fine gold smaller than 100 mesh but it is very difficult to pan. Was thinking of maybe grinding it so that I could get an amalgamate that I could possibly process. But I have no knowledge in this area. I just recently ordered your book and I am waiting for it to arrive. Do you have a recommendation on what I should use to make them mining concentrate easier to collect the gold from? I have been looking into rock tumblers as a grinder for the amalgamation process. Is that a good choice? Also viewed your information on gold detectors and I will get the Gold Bug Pro that you recommend for beginners. You have amazing knowledge and many years of experience. I really like your videos, they are extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing all this knowledge. Respectfully, Lester J. Snoderly

[@ChrisRalph]

I would suggest you watch my video on getting gold out of black sand. As a new prospector I would not suggest amalgamation. There are more potential problems than you think.

[@TIPPYtoeup]

Hello Chris, It’s me again. And I’m sorry for all the questions. I’ve located something I consider to be significant. Now there’s a rather large company that owns the rights to the minerals based on this enormous plot of land they have claimed. When I say enormous, it’s a small county in size. Now, they are aware of the findings. Because I had made them aware of them 2 years ago. They stated that the values weren’t enough for them to care about and further said I could take what I want. Now the problem is I don’t believe they are taking the find as serious as I am. And I want to take over the rights to the mine(s). Do you have any suggestions on what a little guy like myself do? I hope you can help in some way. Thank you sir! My Best Update: The Land package is currently 138 claims which cover over 2700 acres.

[@ChrisRalph]

They own the rights unless you can negotiate something with them.

[@TIPPYtoeup]

@@ChrisRalph: Sure, I guess I knew the answer before asking. Thanks for your time! Have a good one.

[@markelzinga2731]

Can you file a placer claim that overlaps with the area for an existing lode claim? The reason I ask is that in some of the areas I was interested in possibly filing a placer claim I looked up and found there was a lode claim already nearby or possibly overlapping. I haven't looked up the exact boundaries for the lode claims.

[@ChrisRalph]

If you file it, the area where you overlap the lode claim will belong to the lode owner, but the area not covered by the lode claim will be yours.

[@markelzinga2731]

@@ChrisRalph okay, good to know. would a lode claim owner be able to claim the placer gold that is found in the same area as their lode claim? Or would they need to have both a lode claim and placer claim to have exclusive rights to the placer gold?

[@ChrisRalph]

The lode claim owner would have the rights to the placer on his lode claim.

[@conniemarie333]

Can a fire opal deposit in a hillside/mountain be claimed?

[@ChrisRalph]

Yes, if it is on the right type of federal land and no one else has claimed it already.

[@conniemarie333]

@@ChrisRalph I was wondering because it's not a mineral but a gemstone. So it seemed that I could claim it. Thank you for the quick response!

[@ChrisRalph]

If you had bothered to watch the videos, you'd know that claims for gemstone deposits are perfectly valid.

[@conniemarie333]

@@ChrisRalph I did watch the videos. I've watched a ton of your videos. I wanted to clarify because I'm new to this. No need to be rude. Isn't that why we watch and ask questions. I'm a geochemist and I still have no idea about the regulations and procedures. Thank you for your help!

[@StevenSchoolAlchemy]

Once you file a claim, you get billed property taxes. They can lien your home with interest if you fall behind.

[@ChrisRalph]

This is true for certain counties in taxifornia (aka, California). It is not true for most places, especially outside taxifornia.

[@RileyChuran]

hey Chris, my name is Riley Churan and im from north central missouri. im traveling from roswell nm to grass valley ca and wondered if we could meet and chat about some prospecting up there? im an avid rock hound but i havent ever tried prospecting

[@ChrisRalph]

Rosewell, NM is the closest point to my home in Northern Nevada and its more than 1000 miles, so not really possible.

[@jessegiles663]

Hi chris I really want to get into this I'm from utah and there is some good possibilities there but now I lve in arizona have u heard wheather there's gold here or not at all?

[@ChrisRalph]

The bradshaw range has a few streams that carry gold - the streams may only flow after rains.....

[@jessegiles663]

Thankyou

[@T1000-u7m]

Hi chris,im just looking to metal detect and maybe do some panning around the california mountains,streams and rivers.i know i cant do it on someone else property or claims unless given permission to do so.where can i prospect at without having a claim and do i need a permit or license to do so.thanks👍

[@ChrisRalph]

Join a prospecting club and learn the ropes. Or buy my book and read about it. Its too long a topic for a comment answer.

[@T1000-u7m]

@@ChrisRalph yes i was thinking about joining one soon and they own a few claims also.thanks👍

[@foxmulder7616]

How would they know if you found a nugget on a placer claim? Do they require proof of some kind? Hard rock, obviously, there would be a vein, etc. But couldn't someone just say they found a nugget somewhere, and stake a placer claim?

[@ChrisRalph]

Generally they dont pursue the issue unless they have some reason. For example - a friend had an old claim that was in an area which was later designated as a national park. The forest service wanted to get rid of the claim, so they required tests to prove the gravel was economic to mine. They took samples of the gravel. processed it and weighed the gold they recovered. Unless you fall in some sort of special situation, they rarely do any testing.

[@DG-kq8zf]

Can people take old coins found on a placer claim?

[@ChrisRalph]

You can't go looking for gold on someone's placer claim then say you were only looking for coins.

[@DG-kq8zf]

@ChrisRalph I'm not. There's an old cabin foundation and I was going to use a metal detector around the ruins with my kids. Nowhere near the deposit. BLM BTW, not private.

[@americanmining2520]

specifics would be helpful, too general

[@ChrisRalph]

This is a huge topic, whole books are written on mining claim law, this video is meant to be an introduction. Read the two pamphlets mentioned in the video. They will give you more detail.

[@americanmining2520]

Ok Ralf if you say so,. Still...

[@frankbush8368]

@@americanmining2520 did you not listen to his intro where he said this video was just a summary of the process?

[@phillipjacobson4457]

Ok pretend I have a place claim, then I find where the load claim is on my place claim. I have cleaned up all my placer and now I want to work the vein how do I transfer my claim to vein hard rock? Or vise versa?

[@richardrobertson1331]

Phillip Jacobson, hopefully Chris will respond with his experience. My understanding is that anyone can file for a lode claim on top of your placer claim, so keep it quiet. Even one of your workers can file and your rights to that potential lode claim can be lost. A fight in court may get it back, if you can show that there was no excessive delay in filing on your part and that you can also show that his "discovery" samples were stolen from your placer claim. But who wants a court fight? Remember, loose lips sink ships.

[@ChrisRalph]

You can work the lose material at the lode, but it you really want to file a lode claim you can. Richard is wrong that anyone can file a lode claim over your placer claim. It is a common misconception. However people file new claims over valid claims all the time lode or placer. Just because someone files over you does not mean you lose your claim. However, court fights can be very expensive.

[@singingforchrist]

Hey Chris, if a mining claim has been declared abandoned and it’s already proven to have minerals worth mining can you just get the claim by applying. Or do you have to follow all the steps again?

[@aurtisanminer2827]

People are supposed to do all the steps again, but many don’t, at least in my state that happens a lot. They call it ‘paper staking’ because the people just do the paperwork without setting foot on the actual claimed area. Some of the process counts on the honor system.

[@ChrisRalph]

You must follow all the steps if you want the claim to be legal and valid.

[@singingforchrist]

Thank you, I understand. I should have been more specific...if you find gold on an old claim, and you mark the location (new location) can you just use the records for the dimensions of the (old) claim with your new location marker within that area of the old claim? I hope that makes sense. Thank you for your time.

[@aurtisanminer2827]

Sabby you can use the original dimensions and location of a previous claim. You’ll just need to put your own stake and claim info on the proper claim markers.

[@singingforchrist]

Hey Aurt! Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I thought I found a small amount of gold, but after testing it now with my detector it is pyrite, darn.

[@cnutnfire8257]

Hey did we meet at the springs or river in pagosa in the last 17 years lol I recognize you your voice right away names Travis

[@ChrisRalph]

Nope. Never been to Pagosa Springs in my life.

[@freemandavis4796]

Wouldn't it be more feasible to just pay for a annual membership fee for LDMA/GPAA?

[@ChrisRalph]

For new guys, that would indeed be much better.

[@freemandavis4796]

@@ChrisRalph I'm just starting out. I'm currently in a nursing and physical therapy rehabilitation facility and have been buying paydirt online. I'm hooked. Getting out of here in June and thinking seriously about getting my new pans in some real dirt and broken in. GPAA looks like the way to get started and better my skills.

[@ChrisRalph]

Yes, join a club and get involved. You will find folks willing to help, and hopefully some new friends.

[@jesse49046]

Do I stake a claim if its property I live on?

[@ChrisRalph]

As I said, you dont stake a claim on private property.

[@kenjett2434]

Good information but sadly where I live there isn't anything to mine and no federal property claimable. The only form of mining in my area is oil and gas and leasing is a dodgy buisness with oil and gas. Had a small taste of that when i use to work as a general manager for a company. Oh something I forgot in my state mineral rights are completely separate from land owner rights. This gets really complcatated and at times you can find yourself getting shot at. Example you can buy the mineral rights to a property from someone that may not own the land. Then you go to do something with those rights and you find a angry land owner. You have legal rights to be there but you can find yourself getting shot. This the term I used above it can literally be dodgy.

[@ChrisRalph]

Yes, its not an opportunity in every state.

[@Jack-ne8vm]

Money would have to be paid to the surface owner for any damages or disruption... Legally they can't stop you.

[@kenjett2434]

@@Jack-ne8vm that is true but what i said can and does happen. Simply because most land owners dont know or under stand the laws pertaining to Mineral Rights

[@jesusmedina4494]

Can I be a resident of Virginia and file for a claim in any of the states that have BLM land? Virginia doesn't have any BLM land and I hate it, it seems that all the old mines and the areas around them are already someone's private property and they aren't trying to sell with out price gouging.

[@ChrisRalph]

Citizens of the US can file claims in other US states, no problem.

[@jesusmedina4494]

@@ChrisRalph thank you Chris, that's good to know. Now...how do I hobo my way over to Montana, Colorado, or Nevada? Hey I got your book for my 11 year old daughter, she likes it but wishes it was in color. What are the chances you put the book out on kindle and add the color, having an e-book should cut the cost and have color.

[@ChrisRalph]

E books are made to have no, or almost no pictures. So I will not be putting out an ebook because I would have to delete the pictures for it. I could have made my book in color, but it would have cost about $100 because color printing is much, much more expensive.

[@idk-hp3md]

Am I allowed to just go down by a river and pan?

[@ChrisRalph]

Maybe. It all depends on the land status. Is it private property? Is it part of someone's mining claim? Is it a National Park? Or ??????

[@alexgibbs2636]

Good luck to all

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks!

[@karendurant4981]

Seriously folks, if you have a good find and you have the means, hire a professional land surveyor. They'll run through the whole process for you and make sure it's done right.

[@ChrisRalph]

You have to prospect and get that big find, first.

[@Kollenesnow]

Can you mine on your own private property?

[@ChrisRalph]

It all depends - do you have the mineral rights to your property?

[@Kollenesnow]

@@ChrisRalph if its your own property... Wouldn't u?

[@ChrisRalph]

Not necessarily. Probably most times yes but not always.

[@Kollenesnow]

How would one figure this out? Especially when buying land?

[@ChrisRalph]

You need to look at the fine print in the deed.

[@ecv03]

There is a lot of BLM land I want to go look at. But it is surrounded by private land. How can I find a way to it?

[@ChrisRalph]

Talk to some of the owners, perhaps? Look on Google earth for ways to get in?

[@AllYouWantAndMore]

What types of lawyers work with people claiming mining rights?

[@ChrisRalph]

Lawyers that specialize in mining law.

[@sandymarshfoot-travelingho2328]

Hi Chris. I am Christine... Sandy is my alias Artist name. I have studied this topic a little. So Now Im ready... To learn from a pro. Thanks. I haven't watched it yet... More comments later. Will research... Can in a National Forest... Cannot in a National Park. I had no idea they were not the same. * is the theoretical diagram upside down? No. 1 block is on the sw corner? Not the ne corner...then I was lost.

[@ChrisRalph]

hope you enjoy the video when you watch it.

[@TimJBucci]

Honestly, this doesn't make sense. I would think "First come first serve." Why do people have to "Claim" where they want to mine? This is confusing. Got to get permits to dig in the dirt? I am almost a mature adult at 33 years old!!

[@ChrisRalph]

First come first serve becomes in time "might makes right" and the one with the biggest well armed mob gets the rights to the discovery.

[@alexgibbs2636]

😎

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@timothylittlefield]

You need a better camera because you cannot see townships, etc.

[@ChrisRalph]

This was one of the very first videos I ever uploaded, and I've made more than 100 since and have bought new cameras.

[@majorproduction3990]

Big chunk uh change

[@ChrisRalph]

Take a look at my part 2 of claim staking.

[@stumpy31952]

G.W. Snow I wonder if he's a cousin(distant)

[@ChrisRalph]

Hard to say.

[@peterolsen2088]

Gad, ten ads in 30 minutes, I caught up on my sleep though

[@ChrisRalph]

That does seem like a lot. Sadly, I do not control the number of ads inserted by Google.

[@llibressal]

No PVC because birds might fly into it??????? WTH! That's ridiculous.

[@ChrisRalph]

Hey! Someone who knows nothing about what he is talking about thinks he's an expert! I have no idea why birds do this, but they do, and Ive seen many of these old PVC pipes with dead birds in them.

[@llibressal]

@@ChrisRalph HUh.... Okay, I'll take your word for it. ....Love your videos btw. Lots of great info.

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks.

[@Jack-ne8vm]

Birds land on top & fall in. Often after a lizard part way down...

[@RockyMtnGobblers]

Very helpful video, except I cant see much at all helpful on the maps, just to small so you lost me.

[@ChrisRalph]

Look at hte video on a full sized screen. Everything looks small on your cell phone......

[@johnrico1174]

All these microphone pops are really annoying..........

[@ChrisRalph]

One of the very first videos I made, I have better equipment and experience now.

[@farrellhamann]

Cap the plastic pipe! Millions of birds get trapped in them.

[@ChrisRalph]

Don't use plastic pipes at all, they are illegal to use. The ones you see on the hills are old, from decades ago.

[@Jack-ne8vm]

Nowadays you should knock plastic claim posts over.

[@jakebeard4499]

can u buy blm land

[@ChrisRalph]

Nope.

[@jakebeard4499]

What do I see the little patches of private land in BLM land areas done how did they get those areas how did they get that private land

[@Jack-ne8vm]

@@jakebeard4499 Long ago, farmers bought from BLM when they were selling. Maybe a Homestead Entry Survey. Or someone bought Patented Claims. Or it was Railroad land & they sold some of it. Railroads were partly funded by the US giving alternate sections within 10 miles of tracks to RR companies back in 1860.

[@phillipjacobson4457]

@@jakebeard4499 Maybe they are retired cops lawyer or judges who twisted ownership into there favor as narcs for BLM keeping an eye out.

[@cliffcurtistruth]

I hope there's another video out there easier to understand than this. How about start with the FIRST thing you do and work your way BACK to the marking corners and putting up posts nonsense.

[@ChrisRalph]

Download the pamphlets I recommend in the video. Read them. If you still don't understand, I give up.

[@shane-fp7hq]

Sounds like a huge headache, a lot of red tape and fine print, hoping that you screw up in your filing so that the government mafia can take it from you...

[@ChrisRalph]

No worries. I've made a lot of money that way but it is work, no question.

[@johnhubbard6262]

Meh, all the good spots I found growing up have been swallowed by the Death Valley Monument

[@ChrisRalph]

You need to widen your search.....

[@johnhubbard6262]

@@ChrisRalph Very true, love your content

[@fatimasc100]

Claims should become illegal so all of us have a chance to do gold panning. Instead, the population is limited to national parks because most areas are claimed.

[@ChrisRalph]

The government owns the National Parks and by all government rules any panning, gold prospecting or rockhounding is illegal. Worse than a claim. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@fatimasc100]

@@ChrisRalph Yes, I enjoyed all your videos and I also got your book at Amazon. How I wish I can just go to any rivers and creaks and do panning without worrying if someone put a claim on it. So far, I have only been panning at the South Yuba State park river afraid to venture out somewhere that I might step on someone's claim.

[@georgesenda1952]

There are claims for sale every day or week on Ebay and elsewhere and in the mining and prospecting magazines and if you join the GPAA or LDMA you can pan for gold on their claims and keep any gold you find. Sorry but you are wrong and claims go back to old Spanish law in California and other laws around the country as the country developed.

[@6Diego1Diego9]

are you a trump supporter?

[@ChrisRalph]

Are you?