30 U.S.C. §§ 21–54

§21. Mineral lands reserved

30 U.S.C. § 21

In all cases lands valuable for minerals shall be reserved from sale, except as otherwise expressly directed by law.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2318.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2318 derived from act July 4, 1866, ch. 166, § 5, 14 Stat. 86.

§21a. National mining and minerals policy; “minerals” defined; execution of policy under other authorized programs

30 U.S.C. § 21a

The Congress declares that it is the continuing policy of the Federal Government in the national interest to foster and encourage private enterprise in (1) the development of economically sound and stable domestic mining, minerals, metal and mineral reclamation industries, (2) the orderly and economic development of domestic mineral resources, reserves, and reclamation of metals and minerals to help assure satisfaction of industrial, security and environmental needs, (3) mining, mineral, and metallurgical research, including the use and recycling of scrap to promote the wise and efficient use of our natural and reclaimable mineral resources, and (4) the study and development of methods for the disposal, control, and reclamation of mineral waste products, and the reclamation of mined land, so as to lessen any adverse impact of mineral extraction and processing upon the physical environment that may result from mining or mineral activities.

For the purpose of this section “minerals” shall include all minerals and mineral fuels including oil, gas, coal, oil shale and uranium.

It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of the Interior to carry out this policy when exercising his authority under such programs as may be authorized by law other than this section.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 91–631, title I, § 101, formerly § 2, Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1876; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1081(b), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 721; renumbered title I, § 101, Pub. L. 104–325, § 2(1), (2), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3994.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1995—Pub. L. 104–66 in last par. struck out at end “For this purpose the Secretary of the Interior shall include in his annual report to the Congress a report on the state of the domestic mining, minerals, and mineral reclamation industries, including a statement of the trend in utilization and depletion of these resources, together with such recommendations for legislative programs as may be necessary to implement the policy of this section.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Pub. L. 91–631, § 1, Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1876, provided: “That this Act [enacting this section] may be cited as the ‘Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970’.”

§22. Lands open to purchase by citizens

30 U.S.C. § 22

Except as otherwise provided, all valuable mineral deposits in lands belonging to the United States, both surveyed and unsurveyed, shall be free and open to exploration and purchase, and the lands in which they are found to occupation and purchase, by citizens of the United States and those who have declared their intention to become such, under regulations prescribed by law, and according to the local customs or rules of miners in the several mining districts, so far as the same are applicable and not inconsistent with the laws of the United States.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2319.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2319 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 1, 17 Stat. 91.

Words “Except as otherwise provided,” were editorially supplied on authority of act Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, 41 Stat. 437, popularly known as the Mineral Lands Leasing Act, which is classified to chapter 3A (§ 181 et seq.) of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Sections 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 35, 37, 39 to 43, and 47 of this title are based on sections of the Revised Statutes which are derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, 17 Stat. 91, popularly known as the “General Mining Act of 1872” and as the “Mining Law of 1872”.

§23. Length of claims on veins or lodes

30 U.S.C. § 23

Mining claims upon veins or lodes of quartz or other rock in place bearing gold, silver, cinnabar, lead, tin, copper, or other valuable deposits, located prior to May 10, 1872, shall be governed as to length along the vein or lode by the customs, regulations, and laws in force at the date of their location. A mining claim located after the 10th day of May 1872, whether located by one or more persons, may equal, but shall not exceed, one thousand five hundred feet in length along the vein or lode; but no location of a mining claim shall be made until the discovery of the vein or lode within the limits of the claim located. No claim shall extend more than three hundred feet on each side of the middle of the vein at the surface, nor shall any claim be limited by any mining regulation to less than twenty-five feet on each side of the middle of the vein at the surface, except where adverse rights existing on the 10th day of May 1872 render such limitation necessary. The end lines of each claim shall be parallel to each other.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2320.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2320 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 2, 17 Stat. 91.

§24. Proof of citizenship

30 U.S.C. § 24

Proof of citizenship, under sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, may consist, in the case of an individual, of his own affidavit thereof; in the case of an association of persons unincorporated, of the affidavit of their authorized agent, made on his own knowledge, or upon information and belief; and in the case of a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, or of any State or Territory thereof, by the filing of a certified copy of their charter or certificate of incorporation.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2321.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2321 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 7, 17 Stat. 94.

§25. Affidavit of citizenship

30 U.S.C. § 25

Applicants for mineral patents, if residing beyond the limits of the district wherein the claim is situated, may make any oath or affidavit required for proof of citizenship before the clerk of any court of record or before any notary public of any State or Territory.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Apr. 26, 1882, ch. 106, § 2, 22 Stat. 49.)

§26. Locators’ rights of possession and enjoyment

30 U.S.C. § 26

The locators of all mining locations made on any mineral vein, lode, or ledge, situated on the public domain, their heirs and assigns, where no adverse claim existed on the 10th day of May 1872 so long as they comply with the laws of the United States, and with State, territorial, and local regulations not in conflict with the laws of the United States governing their possessory title, shall have the exclusive right of possession and enjoyment of all the surface included within the lines of their locations, and of all veins, lodes, and ledges throughout their entire depth, the top or apex of which lies inside of such surface lines extended downward vertically, although such veins, lodes, or ledges may so far depart from a perpendicular in their course downward as to extend outside the vertical side lines of such surface locations. But their right of possession to such outside parts of such veins or ledges shall be confined to such portions thereof as lie between vertical planes drawn downward as above described, through the end lines of their locations, so continued in their own direction that such planes will intersect such exterior parts of such veins or ledges. Nothing in this section shall authorize the locator or possessor of a vein or lode which extends in its downward course beyond the vertical lines of his claim to enter upon the surface of a claim owned or possessed by another.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2322.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2322 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 3, 17 Stat. 91.

§27. Mining tunnels; right to possession of veins on line with; abandonment of right

30 U.S.C. § 27

Where a tunnel is run for the development of a vein or lode, or for the discovery of mines, the owners of such tunnel shall have the right of possession of all veins or lodes within three thousand feet from the face of such tunnel on the line thereof, not previously known to exist, discovered in such tunnel, to the same extent as if discovered from the surface; and locations on the line of such tunnel of veins or lodes not appearing on the surface, made by other parties after the commencement of the tunnel, and while the same is being prosecuted with reasonable diligence, shall be invalid; but failure to prosecute the work on the tunnel for six months shall be considered as an abandonment of the right to all undiscovered veins on the line of such tunnel.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2323.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2323 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 4, 17 Stat. 92.

Short Title

This section is popularly known as the Tunnel Site Act.

§28. Mining district regulations by miners: location, recordation, and amount of work; marking of location on ground; records; annual labor or improvements on claims pending issue of patent; co-owner’s succession in interest upon delinquency in contributing proportion of expenditures; tunnel as lode expenditure

30 U.S.C. § 28

The miners of each mining district may make regulations not in conflict with the laws of the United States, or with the laws of the State or Territory in which the district is situated, governing the location, manner of recording, amount of work necessary to hold possession of a mining claim, subject to the following requirements: The location must be distinctly marked on the ground so that its boundaries can be readily traced. All records of mining claims made after May 10, 1872, shall contain the name or names of the locators, the date of the location, and such a description of the claim or claims located by reference to some natural object or permanent monument as will identify the claim. On each claim located after the 10th day of May 1872, that is granted a waiver under section 28f of this title, and until a patent has been issued therefor, not less than $100 worth of labor shall be performed or improvements made during each year. On all claims located prior to the 10th day of May 1872, $10 worth of labor shall be performed or improvements made each year, for each one hundred feet in length along the vein until a patent has been issued therefor; but where such claims are held in common, such expenditure may be made upon any one claim; and upon a failure to comply with these conditions, the claim or mine upon which such failure occurred shall be open to relocation in the same manner as if no location of the same had ever been made, provided that the original locators, their heirs, assigns, or legal representatives, have not resumed work upon the claim after failure and before such location. Upon the failure of any one of several coowners to contribute his proportion of the expenditures required hereby, the coowners who have performed the labor or made the improvements may, at the expiration of the year, give such delinquent co-owner personal notice in writing or notice by publication in the newspaper published nearest the claim, for at least once a week for ninety days, and if at the expiration of ninety days after such notice in writing or by publication such delinquent should fail or refuse to contribute his proportion of the expenditure required by this section, his interest in the claim shall become the property of his co-owners who have made the required expenditures. The period within which the work required to be done annually on all unpatented mineral claims located since May 10, 1872, including such claims in the Territory of Alaska, shall commence at 12:01 ante meridian on the first day of September succeeding the date of location of such claim.

Where a person or company has or may run a tunnel for the purposes of developing a lode or lodes, owned by said person or company, the money so expended in said tunnel shall be taken and considered as expended on said lode or lodes, whether located prior to or since May 10, 1872; and such person or company shall not be required to perform work on the surface of said lode or lodes in order to hold the same as required by this section. On all such valid claims the annual period ending December 31, 1921, shall continue to 12 o’clock meridian July 1, 1922.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2324; Feb. 11, 1875, ch. 41, 18 Stat. 315; Jan. 22, 1880, ch. 9, § 2, 21 Stat. 61; Aug. 24, 1921, ch. 84, 42 Stat. 186; Pub. L. 85–736, § 1, Aug. 23, 1958, 72 Stat. 829; Pub. L. 103–66, title X, § 10105(b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 110–161, div. F, title I, (1), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2101.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2324 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 5, 17 Stat. 92.

Pub. L. 110–161, which directed the amendment of section 28 of title 30, United States Code, “in section 28”, was executed by making the amendment to R.S. § 2324, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2007 Amendment note below.

Amendments

2007—Pub. L. 110–161 substituted “shall commence at 12:01 ante meridian on the first day of September” for “shall commence at 12 o’clock meridian on the 1st day of September”. See Codification note above.

1993—Pub. L. 103–66 inserted “that is granted a waiver under section 28f of this title,” after “On each claim located after the 10th day of May 1872,”.

1958—Pub. L. 85–736 changed period for doing annual assessment work on unpatented mineral claims, substituting “1st day of September” for “1st day of July”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Assessment Work Years, 1957–58 and 1958–59

Pub. L. 85–736, § 2, Aug. 23, 1958, 72 Stat. 829, provided that the period commencing in 1957 for the performance of annual assessment work under this section shall end at 12 o’clock meridian on the 1st day of July 1958, and the period commencing in 1958 for the performance of such annual assessment work shall commence at 12 o’clock meridian on the 1st day of July 1958, and shall continue to 12 o’clock meridian on Sept. 1, 1959.

Executive Documents

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§28–1. Inclusion of certain surveys in labor requirements of mining claims; conditions and restrictions

30 U.S.C. § 28–1

The term “labor”, as used in the third sentence of section 28 of this title, shall include, without being limited to, geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys conducted by qualified experts and verified by a detailed report filed in the county office in which the claim is located which sets forth fully (a) the location of the work performed in relation to the point of discovery and boundaries of the claim, (b) the nature, extent, and cost thereof, (c) the basic findings therefrom, and (d) the name, address, and professional background of the person or persons conducting the work. Such surveys, however, may not be applied as labor for more than two consecutive years or for more than a total of five years on any one mining claim, and each such survey shall be nonrepetitive of any previous survey on the same claim.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 85–876, § 1, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1701.)

§28–2. Definitions

30 U.S.C. § 28–2

As used in section 28–1 of this title,

(a)

The term “geological surveys” means surveys on the ground for mineral deposits by the proper application of the principles and techniques of the science of geology as they relate to the search for and discovery of mineral deposits;

(b)

The term “geochemical surveys” means surveys on the ground for mineral deposits by the proper application of the principles and techniques of the science of chemistry as they relate to the search for and discovery of mineral deposits;

(c)

The term “geophysical surveys” means surveys on the ground for mineral deposits through the employment of generally recognized equipment and methods for measuring physical differences between rock types or discontinuities in geological formations;

(d)

The term “qualified expert” means an individual qualified by education or experience to conduct geological, geochemical or geophysical surveys, as the case may be.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 85–876, § 2, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1701.)

[§28a. Omitted — omitted]

30 U.S.C. § 28a

Notes, amendments, and revision history

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section, act June 29, 1950, ch. 404, 64 Stat. 275, provided for extension of time of annual assessment work, on mining claims in the United States, including Alaska, for period commencing July 1, 1949, until 12 o’clock noon Oct. 1, 1950, and also provided for commencement of assessment work or improvements required for year ending 12 o’clock noon July 1, 1951, immediately following 12 o’clock noon July 1, 1950. See sections 28b to 28e of this title.

§28b. Annual assessment work on mining claims; temporary deferment; conditions

30 U.S.C. § 28b

The performance of not less than $100 worth of labor or the making of improvements aggregating such amount, which labor or improvements are required under the provisions of section 28 of this title to be made during each year, may be deferred by the Secretary of the Interior as to any mining claim or group of claims in the United States upon the submission by the claimant of evidence satisfactory to the Secretary that such mining claim or group of claims is surrounded by lands over which a right-of-way for the performance of such assessment work has been denied or is in litigation or is in the process of acquisition under State law or that other legal impediments exist which affect the right of the claimant to enter upon the surface of such claim or group of claims or to gain access to the boundaries thereof.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(June 21, 1949, ch. 232, § 1, 63 Stat. 214.)

§28c. Length and termination of deferment

30 U.S.C. § 28c

The period for which said deferment may be granted shall end when the conditions justifying deferment have been removed: Provided, That the initial period shall not exceed one year but may be renewed for a further period of one year if justifiable conditions exist: Provided further, That the relief available under sections 28b to 28e of this title is in addition to any relief available under any other Act of Congress with respect to mining claims.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(June 21, 1949, ch. 232, § 2, 63 Stat. 215.)

§28d. Performance of deferred work

30 U.S.C. § 28d

All deferred assessment work shall be performed not later than the end of the assessment year next subsequent to the removal or cessation of the causes for deferment or the expiration of any deferments granted under sections 28b to 28e of this title and shall be in addition to the annual assessment work required by law in such year.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(June 21, 1949, ch. 232, § 3, 63 Stat. 215.)

§28e. Recordation of deferment

30 U.S.C. § 28e

Claimant shall file or record or cause to be filed or recorded in the office where the notice or certificate of location of such claim or group of claims is filed or recorded, a notice to the public of claimant’s petition to the Secretary of the Interior for deferment under sections 28b to 28e of this title, and of the order or decision disposing of such petition.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(June 21, 1949, ch. 232, § 4, 63 Stat. 215.)

§28f. Fee

30 U.S.C. § 28f

(a)

Claim maintenance fee—

(1)

Lode mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites— The holder of each unpatented lode mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States before, on, or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year, to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site, respectively. Such claim maintenance fee shall be in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28–28e))¹ and the related filing requirements contained in section 1744(a) and (c) of title 43.

(2)

Placer mining claims— The holder of each unpatented placer mining claim located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States before, on, or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year, the claim maintenance fee described in subsection (a)(1), for each 20 acres of the placer claim or portion thereof. Such claim maintenance fee shall be in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28 to 28e)¹ and the related filing requirements contained in section 1744(a) and (c) of title 43.

(b)

Time of payment— The claim main tenance² fee under subsection (a) shall be paid for the year in which the location is made, at the time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land Management. The location fee imposed under section 28g of this title shall be payable not later than 90 days after the date of location.

(c)

Oil shale claims subject to claim maintenance fees under Energy Policy Act of 1992— This section shall not apply to any oil shale claims for which a fee is required to be paid under section 2511(e)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–486; 106 Stat. 3111; 30 U.S.C. 242).

(d)

Waiver—

(1)

The claim maintenance fee required under this section may be waived for a claimant who certifies in writing to the Secretary that on the date the payment was due, the claimant and all related parties—

(A)

held not more than 10 mining claims, mill sites, or tunnel sites, or any combination thereof, on public lands; and

(B)

have performed assessment work required under the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28–28e))¹ to maintain the mining claims held by the claimant and such related parties for the assessment year ending on noon of September 1 of the calendar year in which payment of the claim maintenance fee was due.

(2)

For purposes of paragraph (1), with respect to any claimant, the term “related party” means—

(A)

the spouse and dependent children (as defined in section 152 of title 26), of the claimant; and

(B)

a person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the claimant.

For purposes of this section, the term control includes actual control, legal control, and the power to exercise control, through or by common directors, officers, stockholders, a voting trust, or a holding company or investment company, or any other means.

(3)

If a small miner waiver application is determined to be defective for any reason, the claimant shall have a period of 60 days after receipt of written notification of the defect or defects by the Bureau of Land Management to: (A) cure such defect or defects, or (B) pay the $100 claim maintenance fee due for such period.

Footnotes

1 See References in Text note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be “maintenance”.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 103–66, title X, § 10101, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 405; Pub. L. 105–240, § 116, Sept. 25, 1998, 112 Stat. 1570; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(e) [title I], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–231, 2681–235; Pub. L. 107–63, title I, (1), Nov. 5, 2001, 115 Stat. 418; Pub. L. 108–108, title I, (1), Nov. 10, 2003, 117 Stat. 1245; Pub. L. 110–161, div. F, title I, (2), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2101; Pub. L. 111–8, div. E, title I, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title I, Oct. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 2907; Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title IV, § 430, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1047; Pub. L. 113–6, div. F, title IV, § 1403, Mar. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 419.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28–28e), referred to in subsecs. (a) and (d)(1)(B), probably means act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, 17 Stat. 91. That act was incorporated into the Revised Statutes as R.S. §§ 2319 to 2328, 2331, 2333 to 2337, and 2344, which are classified to sections 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 35, 37, 39 to 42, and 47 of this title. For complete classification of R.S. §§ 2319 to 2328, 2331, 2333 to 2337, and 2344 to the Code, see Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 111–88, which directed the amendment of section 28f of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2009 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 110–161, which directed the amendment of section 28 of title 30, United States Code, “in section 28f(a),” was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2007 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 108–108, which directed the amendment of section 28 of title 30, United States Code, “in section 28f(a),” was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2003 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 107–63, which directed the amendment of section 28f of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2001 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 105–277, which directed the amendment of section 28f of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 1998 Amendment notes below.

Pub. L. 105–240, which directed the amendment of section 28f of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10101 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 1998 Amendment note below.

Amendments

2013—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–6, § 1403(1), substituted “before, on, or after August 10, 1993” for “on or after August 10, 1993”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 113–6, § 1403(2), struck out “located” after “United States”, substituted “subsection (a)(1)” for “subsection (a)”, and inserted at end “Such claim maintenance fee shall be in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28 to 28e) and the related filing requirements contained in section 1744(a) and (c) of title 43.”

2011—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–74, § 430(1)(A), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and substituted “The holder of each unpatented lode mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States on or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year, to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site, respectively.” for “The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States, whether located before, on or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year, to the extent provided in advance in Appropriations Acts, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 112–74, § 430(1)(B), added par. (2).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–74, § 430(2), substituted “The claim main tenance fee under subsection (a) shall be paid for the year in which the location is made, at the time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land Management.” for “The claim maintenance fee payable pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for any assessment year shall be paid before the commencement of the assessment year, except that for the initial assessment year in which the location is made, the locator shall pay the claim maintenance fee at the time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land Management.”

2009—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–88 substituted “, to the extent provided in advance in Appropriations Acts,” for “for years 2004 through 2008,”. See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 111–8, which directed the removal of the modifications made by Pub. L. 110–161, was executed by inserting “for years 2004 through 2008” after “before September 1 of each year”. See 2007 Amendment note below.

2007—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–161 struck out “for years 2004 through 2008” after “before September 1 of each year”. See Codification note above.

2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–108 substituted “for years 2004 through 2008” for “for years 2002 through 2003”. See Codification note above.

2001—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–63 substituted “The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States, whether located before, on or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year for years 2002 through 2003, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site” for “The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site, located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States, whether located before or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1 of each year for years 1999 through 2001, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim or site.” See Codification note above.

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–277 added first sentence and struck out former first sentence which read as follows: “The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States before October 1, 1998 shall pay the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1, 1999 a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim site.” See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 105–240 substituted “The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill, or tunnel site located pursuant to the mining laws of the United States before October 1, 1998 shall pay the Secretary of the Interior, on or before September 1, 1999 a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim site.” for “The holder of each unpatented mining claim, mill or tunnel site located pursuant to the Mining Laws of the United States, whether located before or after August 10, 1993, shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before August 31 of each year, for years 1994 through 1998, a claim maintenance fee of $100 per claim.” See Codification note above.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–277 added par. (3). See Codification note above.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Similar Provisions

Similar provisions were contained in Pub. L. 102–381, title I, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1378, 1379.

§28g. Location fee

30 U.S.C. § 28g

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for every unpatented mining claim, mill or tunnel site located after August 10, 1993, to the extent provided in advance in Appropriations Acts, pursuant to the Mining Laws of the United States, the locator shall, at the time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land Management, pay to the Secretary of the Interior a location fee, in addition to the claim maintenance fee required by section 28f of this title, of $25.00 per claim.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 103–66, title X, § 10102, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(e) [title I], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–231, 2681–235; Pub. L. 107–63, title I, (2), Nov. 5, 2001, 115 Stat. 419; Pub. L. 108–108, title I, (2), Nov. 10, 2003, 117 Stat. 1245; Pub. L. 110–161, div. F, title I, (3), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2101; Pub. L. 111–8, div. E, title I, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title I, Oct. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 2907.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 111–88, which directed the amendment of section 28g of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10102 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2009 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 110–161, which directed the amendment of section 28 of title 30, United States Code, “in section 28g”, was executed by making the amendment to section 10102 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2007 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 108–108, which directed the amendment of section 28 of title 30, United States Code, “in section 28g”, was executed by making the amendment to section 10102 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2003 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 107–63, which directed the amendment of section 28f(a) of title 30, United States Code, in section 28g, was executed by making the amendment to section 10102 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2001 Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 105–277, which directed the amendment of section 28g of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10102 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 1998 Amendment note below.

Amendments

2009—Pub. L. 111–88 substituted “, to the extent provided in advance in Appropriations Acts,” for “and before September 30, 2008,”. See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 111–8, which directed the removal of the modifications made by Pub. L. 110–161, was executed by inserting “and before September 30, 2008,” before “pursuant to”. See 2007 Amendment note below.

2007—Pub. L. 110–161 struck out “and before September 30, 2008,” before “pursuant to”. See Codification note above.

2003—Pub. L. 108–108 substituted “2008” for “2003”. See Codification note above.

2001—Pub. L. 107–63 substituted “2003” for “2001”. See Codification note above.

1998—Pub. L. 105–277 substituted “2001” for “1998”. See Codification note above.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Similar Provisions

Similar provisions were contained in Pub. L. 102–381, title I, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1378, 1379.

§28h. Co-ownership

30 U.S.C. § 28h

The co-ownership provisions of the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28)¹ shall remain in effect, except that in applying such provisions, the annual claim maintenance fee required under this Act shall, where applicable, replace applicable assessment requirements and expenditures.

Footnotes

1 See References in Text note below.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 103–66, title X, § 10103, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 406.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28), referred to in text, probably means act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, 17 Stat. 91. That act was incorporated into the Revised Statutes as R.S. §§ 2319 to 2328, 2331, 2333 to 2337, and 2344, which are classified to sections 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 35, 37, 39 to 42, and 47 of this title. For complete classification of R.S. §§ 2319 to 2328, 2331, 2333 to 2337, and 2344 to the Code, see Tables.

This Act, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 103–66, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 312, known as the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. The annual claim maintenance fee required under this Act probably refers to the fee required under section 28f of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Similar Provisions

Similar provisions were contained in Pub. L. 102–381, title I, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1378, 1379.

§28i. Failure to pay

30 U.S.C. § 28i

Failure to pay the claim maintenance fee or the location fee as required by sections 28f to 28l of this title shall conclusively constitute a forfeiture of the unpatented mining claim, mill or tunnel site by the claimant and the claim shall be deemed null and void by operation of law.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 103–66, title X, § 10104, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title I, Oct. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 2908.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 111–88, which directed the amendment of section 28i of title 30, United States Code, was executed by making the amendment to section 10104 of Pub. L. 103–66, which is classified to this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2009 Amendment note below.

Amendments

2009—Pub. L. 111–88 substituted “28l” for “28k”. See Codification note above.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Similar Provisions

Similar provisions were contained in Pub. L. 102–381, title I, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1378, 1379.

§28j. Other requirements

30 U.S.C. § 28j

(a)

Federal Land Policy and Management Act requirements— Nothing in sections 28f to 28k of this title shall change or modify the requirements of section 314(b) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1744(b)), or the requirements of section 314(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1744(c)) related to filings required by section 314(b), and such requirements shall remain in effect with respect to claims, and mill or tunnel sites for which fees are required to be paid under this section.

(b)

Omitted—

(c)

Fee adjustments—

(1)

The Secretary of the Interior shall adjust the fees required by sections 28f to 28k of this title to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor every 5 years after August 10, 1993, or more frequently if the Secretary determines an adjustment to be reasonable.

(2)

The Secretary shall provide claimants notice of any adjustment made under this subsection not later than July 1 of any year in which the adjustment is made.

(3)

A fee adjustment under this subsection shall begin to apply the first assessment year which begins after adjustment is made.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 103–66, title X, § 10105, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 406.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of section 10105 of Pub. L. 103–66. Subsec. (b) of section 10105 of Pub. L. 103–66 amended section 28 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Similar Provisions

Similar provisions were contained in Pub. L. 102–381, title I, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1378, 1379.

§28k. Regulations

30 U.S.C. § 28k

The Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the terms and conditions of sections 28f to 28k of this title as soon as practicable after August 10, 1993.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 103–66, title X, § 10106, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 407.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Similar Provisions

Similar provisions were contained in Pub. L. 102–381, title I, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1378, 1379.

§28l. Collection of mining law administration fees

30 U.S.C. § 28l

In fiscal year 2009 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Bureau of Land Management shall collect from mining claim holders the mining claim maintenance fees and location fees; such fees shall be collected in the same manner as authorized by sections 28f and 28g of this title only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 111–8, div. E, title I, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title I, Oct. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 2907.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2009—Pub. L. 111–88 substituted “from mining claim holders the mining claim maintenance fees and location” for “mining law administration” and struck out “those” before “authorized”.

§29. Patents; procurement procedure; filing: application under oath, plat and field notes, notices, and affidavits; posting plat and notice on claim; publication and posting notice in office; certificate; adverse claims; payment per acre; objections; nonresident claimant’s agent for execution of application and affidavits

30 U.S.C. § 29

A patent for any land claimed and located for valuable deposits may be obtained in the following manner: Any person, association, or corporation authorized to locate a claim under sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, having claimed and located a piece of land for such purposes, who has, or have, complied with the terms of sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title, and section 661 of title 43, may file in the proper land office an application for a patent, under oath, showing such compliance, together with a plat and field notes of the claim or claims in common, made by or under the direction of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, showing accurately the boundaries of the claim or claims, which shall be distinctly marked by monuments on the ground, and shall post a copy of such plat, together with a notice of such application for a patent, in a conspicuous place on the land embraced in such plat previous to the filing of the application for a patent, and shall file an affidavit of at least two persons that such notice has been duly posted, and shall file a copy of the notice in such land office, and shall thereupon be entitled to a patent for the land, in the manner following: The register of the land office, upon the filing of such application, plat, field notes, notices, and affidavits, shall publish a notice that such application has been made, for the period of sixty days, in a newspaper to be by him designated as published nearest to such claim; and he shall also post such notice in his office for the same period. The claimant at the time of filing this application, or at any time thereafter, within the sixty days of publication, shall file with the register a certificate of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management that $500 worth of labor has been expended or improvements made upon the claim by himself or grantors; that the plat is correct, with such further description by such reference to natural objects or permanent monuments as shall identify the claim, and furnish an accurate description, to be incorporated in the patent. At the expiration of the sixty days of publication the claimant shall file his affidavit, showing that the plat and notice have been posted in a conspicuous place on the claim during such period of publication. If no adverse claim shall have been filed with the register of the proper land office at the expiration of the sixty days of publication, it shall be assumed that the applicant is entitled to a patent, upon the payment to the proper officer of $5 per acre, and that no adverse claim exists; and thereafter no objection from third parties to the issuance of a patent shall be heard, except it be shown that the applicant has failed to comply with the terms of sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43. Where the claimant for a patent is not a resident of or within the land district wherein the vein, lode, ledge, or deposit sought to be patented is located, the application for patent and the affidavits required to be made in this section by the claimant for such patent may be made by his, her, or its authorized agent, where said agent is conversant with the facts sought to be established by said affidavits.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2325; Jan. 22, 1880, ch. 9, § 1, 21 Stat. 61; Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 462, 43 Stat. 1144, 1145; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2325 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 6, 17 Stat. 92.

Amendments

1925—Act Mar. 3, 1925, affected words, in first sentence of text, now reading “United States supervisor of surveys,” and words, in next to last sentence of text, now reading “register of the proper land office.” Those words formerly read “United States surveyor general” and “register and receiver of the proper land office,” respectively. This act abolished the office of surveyor general, and transferred to and consolidated with the Field Surveying Service, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Supervisor of Surveys, the administration, equipment, etc., of such office, and consolidated the offices and functions of the register and receiver.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Director of the Bureau of Land Management substituted for United States Supervisor of Surveys wherever appearing. In the establishment of The Bureau of Land Management by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, the office of Supervisor of Surveys was abolished and the functions and powers were transferred to the Secretary of the Interior, to be performed by such officers or agencies of the Department as might be designated by the Secretary. Under that authority, the functions and powers formerly exercised by the Supervisor of Surveys were delegated to the Chief Cadastral Engineer, subject to the supervision of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. In the general reorganization and realignment of functions of the Bureau, the office of the Chief Cadastral Engineer was abolished, and the functions of that office have been delegated to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. See 43 C.F.R. § 9180.0–3(a)(1).

Office of register of district land office abolished and all functions of register transferred to Secretary of the Interior, or to officers and agencies of Department of the Interior as Secretary may designate, by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, § 403, set out in the Appendix to Title 5.

See also Transfer of Functions note set out under section 1 of this title.

§30. Adverse claims; oath of claimants; requisites; waiver; stay of land office proceedings; judicial determination of right of possession; successful claimants’ filing of judgment roll, certificate of labor, and description of claim in land office, and acreage and fee payments; issuance of patents for entire or partial claims upon certification of land office proceedings and judgment roll; alienation of patent title

30 U.S.C. § 30

Where an adverse claim is filed during the period of publication, it shall be upon oath of the person or persons making the same, and shall show the nature, boundaries, and extent of such adverse claim, and all proceedings, except the publication of notice and making and filing of the affidavit thereof, shall be stayed until the controversy shall have been settled or decided by a court of competent jurisdiction, or the adverse claim waived. It shall be the duty of the adverse claimant, within thirty days after filing his claim, to commence proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction, to determine the question of the right of possession, and prosecute the same with reasonable diligence to final judgment; and a failure so to do shall be a waiver of his adverse claim. After such judgment shall have been rendered, the party entitled to the possession of the claim, or any portion thereof, may, without giving further notice, file a certified copy of the judgment roll with the register of the land office, together with the certificate of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management that the requisite amount of labor has been expended or improvements made thereon, and the description required in other cases, and shall pay to the register $5 per acre for his claim, together with the proper fees, whereupon the whole proceedings and the judgment roll shall be certified by the register to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, and a patent shall issue thereon for the claim, or such portion thereof as the applicant shall appear, from the decision of the court, to rightly possess. If it appears from the decision of the court that several parties are entitled to separate and different portions of the claim, each party may pay for his portion of the claim, with the proper fees, and file the certificate and description by the Director of the Bureau of Land Management whereupon the register shall certify the proceedings and judgment roll to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, as in the preceding case, and patents shall issue to the several parties according to their respective rights. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the alienation of the title conveyed by a patent for a mining claim to any person whatever.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2326; Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 462, 43 Stat. 1144, 1145; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2326 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 7, 17 Stat. 93.

Amendments

1925—Act Mar. 3, 1925, affected words, in third and fourth sentences of text, now reading “United States supervisor of surveys”, and words, in third sentence of text, now reading “pay to the register $5 per acre.” Such words formerly read “surveyor-general”, and “pay to the receiver five dollars per acre”, respectively. Such act is treated more fully in notes under section 29 of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Director of the Bureau of Land Management substituted for United States Supervisor of Surveys following the words “certificate of the” in sentence beginning “After such judgment” and following the words “description by the” in sentence beginning “If it appears”. In the establishment of the Bureau of Land Management by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, the office of Supervisor of Surveys was abolished and the functions and powers were transferred to the Secretary of the Interior, to be performed by such officers or agencies of the Department as might be designated by the Secretary. Under that authority, the functions and powers formerly exercised by the Supervisor of Surveys were delegated to the Chief Cadastral Engineer, subject to the supervision of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. In the general reorganization and realignment of functions of the Bureau, the office of the Chief Cadastral Engineer was abolished, and the functions of that office have been delegated to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. See 43 C.F.R. § 9180.0–3(a)(1).

“Director of the Bureau of Land Management” was substituted for “Commissioner of the General Land Office” following the words “register to the” in sentence beginning “After such judgment” and in sentence beginning “If it appears” following the words “judgment roll to the” on authority of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, set § 403, set out in the Appendix to Title 5. Section 403 of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, abolished the office of the Commissioner of the General Land Office and consolidated the functions of the General Land Office with the Grazing Service to form the Bureau of Land Management.

Office of register of district land office abolished and all functions of register transferred to Secretary of the Interior, or to officers and agencies of Department of the Interior as Secretary may designate, by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, § 403, set out in the Appendix to Title 5.

§31. Oath: agent or attorney in fact, beyond district of claim

30 U.S.C. § 31

The adverse claim required by section 30 of this title may be verified by the oath of any duly authorized agent or attorney in fact of the adverse claimant cognizant of the facts stated; and the adverse claimant, if residing or at the time being beyond the limits of the district wherein the claim is situated, may make oath to the adverse claim before the clerk of any court of record of the United States or of the State or Territory where the adverse claimant may then be, or before any notary public of such State or Territory.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Apr. 26, 1882, ch. 106, § 1, 22 Stat. 49.)

§32. Findings by jury; costs

30 U.S.C. § 32

If, in any action brought pursuant to section 30 of this title, title to the ground in controversy shall not be established by either party, the jury shall so find, and judgment shall be entered according to the verdict. In such case costs shall not be allowed to either party, and the claimant shall not proceed in the land office or be entitled to a patent for the ground in controversy until he shall have perfected his title.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Mar. 3, 1881, ch. 140, 21 Stat. 505.)

§33. Existing rights

30 U.S.C. § 33

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2328.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2328 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 9, 17 Stat. 94.

Provision of this section respecting prosecution of applications for patents for mining claims in General Land Office, pending May 10, 1872, was omitted from the Code.

§34. Description of vein claims on surveyed and unsurveyed lands; monuments on ground to govern conflicting calls

30 U.S.C. § 34

The description of vein or lode claims upon surveyed lands shall designate the location of the claims with reference to the lines of the public survey, but need not conform therewith; but where patents have been or shall be issued for claims upon unsurveyed lands, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management in extending the public survey, shall adjust the same to the boundaries of said patented claims so as in no case to interfere with or change the true location of such claims as they are officially established upon the ground. Where patents have issued for mineral lands, those lands only shall be segregated and shall be deemed to be patented which are bounded by the lines actually marked, defined, and established upon the ground by the monuments of the official survey upon which the patent grant is based, and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management in executing subsequent patent surveys, whether upon surveyed or unsurveyed lands, shall be governed accordingly. The said monuments shall at all times constitute the highest authority as to what land is patented, and in case of any conflict between the said monuments of such patented claims and the descriptions of said claims in the patents issued therefor the monuments on the ground shall govern, and erroneous or inconsistent descriptions or calls in the patent descriptions shall give way thereto.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2327; Apr. 28, 1904, ch. 1796, 33 Stat. 545; Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 462, 43 Stat. 1144; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2327 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 8, 17 Stat. 94.

Amendments

1925—Act Mar. 3, 1925, affected words now reading “United States supervisor of surveys” in first and second sentences of text. These words formerly read “the surveyor-general.” This act abolished the office of surveyor general, and transferred to and consolidated with the Field Surveying Service, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Supervisor of Surveys, the administration, equipment, etc., of such office.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Director of the Bureau of Land Management, substituted for United States Supervisor of Surveys wherever appearing. In the establishment of the Bureau of Land Management by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, the office of Supervisor of Surveys was abolished and the functions and powers were transferred to the Secretary of the Interior, to be performed by such officers or agencies of the Department as might be designated by the Secretary. Under that authority, the functions and powers formerly exercised by the Supervisor of Surveys were delegated to the Chief Cadastral Engineer, subject to the supervision of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. In the general reorganization and realignment of functions of the Bureau, the office of the Chief Cadastral Engineer was abolished, and the functions of that office have been delegated to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. See 43 C.F.R. § 9180.0–3(a)(1).

See also note set out under section 1 of this title.

§35. Placer claims; entry and proceedings for patent under provisions applicable to vein or lode claims; conforming entry to legal subdivisions and surveys; limitation of claims; homestead entry of segregated agricultural land

30 U.S.C. § 35

Claims usually called “placers,” including all forms of deposit, excepting veins of quartz, or other rock in place, shall be subject to entry and patent, under like circumstances and conditions, and upon similar proceedings, as are provided for vein or lode claims; but where the lands have been previously surveyed by the United States, the entry in its exterior limits shall conform to the legal subdivisions of the public lands. And where placer claims are upon surveyed lands, and conform to legal subdivisions, no further survey or plat shall be required, and all placer-mining claims located after the 10th day of May 1872, shall conform as near as practicable with the United States system of public-land surveys, and the rectangular subdivisions of such surveys, and no such location shall include more than twenty acres for each individual claimant; but where placer claims cannot be conformed to legal subdivisions, survey and plat shall be made as on unsurveyed lands; and where by the segregation of mineral land in any legal subdivision a quantity of agricultural land less than forty acres remains, such fractional portion of agricultural land may be entered by any party qualified by law, for homestead purposes.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. §§ 2329, 2331; Mar. 3, 1891, ch. 561, § 4, 26 Stat. 1097.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2329 derived from act July 9, 1870, ch. 235, § 12, 16 Stat. 217.

R.S. § 2331 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 10, 17 Stat. 94.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of Title 43, Public Lands.

§36. Subdivisions of 10-acre tracts; maximum of placer locations; homestead claims of agricultural lands; sale of improvements

30 U.S.C. § 36

Legal subdivisions of forty acres may be subdivided into ten-acre tracts; and two or more persons, or associations of persons, having contiguous claims of any size, although such claims may be less than ten acres each, may make joint entry thereof; but no location of a placer claim, made after the 9th day of July 1870, shall exceed one hundred and sixty acres for any one person or association of persons, which location shall conform to the United States surveys; and nothing in this section contained shall defeat or impair any bona fide homestead claim upon agricultural lands, or authorize the sale of the improvements of any bona fide settler to any purchaser.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2330; Mar. 3, 1891, ch. 561, § 4, 26 Stat. 1097.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2330 derived from act July 9, 1870, ch. 235, § 12, 16 Stat. 217.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of Title 43, Public Lands.

§37. Proceedings for patent where boundaries contain vein or lode; application; statement including vein or lode; issuance of patent: acreage payments for vein or lode and placer claim; costs of proceedings; knowledge affecting construction of application and scope of patent

30 U.S.C. § 37

Where the same person, association, or corporation is in possession of a placer claim, and also a vein or lode included within the boundaries thereof, application shall be made for a patent for the placer claim, with the statement that it includes such vein or lode, and in such case a patent shall issue for the placer claim, subject to the provisions of sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, including such vein or lode, upon the payment of $5 per acre for such vein or lode claim, and twenty-five feet of surface on each side thereof. The remainder of the placer claim, or any placer claim not embracing any vein or lode claim, shall be paid for at the rate of $2.50 per acre, together with all costs of proceedings; and where a vein or lode, such as is described in section 23 of this title, is known to exist within the boundaries of a placer claim, an application for a patent for such placer claim which does not include an application for the vein or lode claim shall be construed as a conclusive declaration that the claimant of the placer claim has no right of possession of the vein or lode claim; but where the existence of a vein or lode in a placer claim is not known, a patent for the placer claim shall convey all valuable mineral and other deposits within the boundaries thereof.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2333.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2333 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 11, 17 Stat. 94.

§38. Evidence of possession and work to establish right to patent

30 U.S.C. § 38

Where such person or association, they and their grantors, have held and worked their claims for a period equal to the time prescribed by the statute of limitations for mining claims of the State or Territory where the same may be situated, evidence of such possession and working of the claims for such period shall be sufficient to establish a right to a patent thereto under sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, in the absence of any adverse claim; but nothing in such sections shall be deemed to impair any lien which may have attached in any way whatever to any mining claim or property thereto attached prior to the issuance of a patent.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2332.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2332 derived from act July 9, 1870, ch. 235, § 13, 16 Stat. 217.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of Title 43, Public Lands.

§39. Surveyors of mining claims

30 U.S.C. § 39

The Director of the Bureau of Land Management may appoint in each land district containing mineral lands as many competent surveyors as shall apply for appointment to survey mining claims. The expenses of the survey of vein or lode claims, and the survey and subdivision of placer claims into smaller quantities than one hundred and sixty acres, together with the cost of publication of notices, shall be paid by the applicants, and they shall be at liberty to obtain the same at the most reasonable rates, and they shall also be at liberty to employ any United States deputy surveyor to make the survey. The Director of the Bureau of Land Management shall also have power to establish the maximum charges for surveys and publication of notices under sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43; and, in case of excessive charges for publication, he may designate any newspaper published in a land district where mines are situated for the publication of mining notices in such district, and fix the rates to be charged by such paper; and, to the end that the Director may be fully informed on the subject, each applicant shall file with the register a sworn statement of all charges and fees paid by such applicant for publication and surveys, together with all fees and money paid the register of the land office, which statement shall be transmitted, with the other papers in the case, to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2334; Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 462, 43 Stat. 1144, 1145; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2334 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 12, 17 Stat. 95.

Amendments

1925—Act Mar. 3, 1925, affected words in first sentence of text, now reading “The United States supervisor of surveys,” and words in third sentence of text, now reading “money paid the register of the Land Office.” Such words formerly read “the surveyor-general of the United States,” and “and money paid the register and the receiver of the land-office.” Such act is treated more fully in note under section 29 of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Director of the Bureau of Land Management substituted for United States Supervisor of Surveys in sentence beginning “The Director of the Bureau of Land Management may appoint”. In the establishment of the Bureau of Land Management by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, the office of Supervisor of Surveys was abolished and the functions and powers were transferred to the Secretary of the Interior, to be performed by such officers or agencies of the Department as might be designated by the Secretary. Under that authority, the functions and powers formerly exercised by the Supervisor of Surveys were delegated to the Chief Cadastral Engineer, subject to the supervision of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. In the general reorganization and realignment of functions of the Bureau, the office of the Chief Cadastral Engineer was abolished, and the functions of that office have been delegated to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management. See 43 C.F.R. § 9180.0–3(a)(1).

In sentence beginning “The Director of the Bureau of Land Management shall also have power”, “Director of the Bureau of Land Management” substituted for “Commissioner of the General Land Office” in two instances and “Director” for “Commissioner” on authority of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, § 403, set out in the Appendix to Title 5. Section 403 of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, abolished the office of the Commissioner of the General Land Office and consolidated the functions of the General Land Office with the Grazing Service to form the Bureau of Land Management.

Office of register of district land office abolished and all functions of register transferred to Secretary of the Interior, or to officers and agencies of Department of the Interior as Secretary may designate, by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, § 403, set out in the Appendix to Title 5.

See also note set out under section 1 of this title.

§40. Verification of affidavits

30 U.S.C. § 40

All affidavits required to be made under sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title, and section 661 of title 43 may be verified before any officer authorized to administer oaths within the land district where the claims may be situated, and all testimony and proofs may be taken before any such officer, and, when duly certified by the officer taking the same, shall have the same force and effect as if taken before the register of the land office. In cases of contest as to the mineral or agricultural character of land, the testimony and proofs may be taken as herein provided on personal notice of at least ten days to the opposing party; or if such party cannot be found, then by publication of at least once a week for thirty days in a newspaper, to be designated by the register of the land office as published nearest to the location of such land; and the register shall require proof that such notice has been given.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2335; Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 462, 43 Stat. 1145; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2335 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 13, 17 Stat. 95.

Amendments

1925—Act Mar. 3, 1925, affected words in first sentence of text, now reading “before the register of the land office.” Such words formerly read “before the register and receiver of the land-office.” Such act is treated more fully in note under section 29 of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Office of register of district land office abolished and all functions of register transferred to Secretary of the Interior, or to officers and agencies of Department of the Interior as Secretary may designate, by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, § 403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

See also note set out under section 1 of this title.

§41. Intersecting or crossing veins

30 U.S.C. § 41

Where two or more veins intersect or cross each other, priority of title shall govern, and such prior location shall be entitled to all ore or mineral contained within the space of intersection; but the subsequent location shall have the right-of-way through the space of intersection for the purposes of the convenient working of the mine. And where two or more veins unite, the oldest or prior location shall take the vein below the point of union, including all the space of intersection.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2336.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2336 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 14, 17 Stat. 96.

§42. Patents for nonmineral lands: application, survey, notice, acreage limitation, payment

30 U.S.C. § 42

(a)

Vein or lode and mill site owners eligible— Where nonmineral land not contiguous to the vein or lode is used or occupied by the proprietor of such vein or lode for mining or milling purposes, such nonadjacent surface ground may be embraced and included in an application for a patent for such vein or lode, and the same may be patented therewith, subject to the same preliminary requirements as to survey and notice as are applicable to veins or lodes; but no location made on and after May 10, 1872, of such nonadjacent land shall exceed five acres, and payment for the same must be made at the same rate as fixed by sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43 for the superficies of the lode. The owner of a quartz mill or reduction works, not owning a mine in connection therewith, may also receive a patent for his mill site, as provided in this section.

(b)

Placer claim owners eligible— Where nonmineral land is needed by the proprietor of a placer claim for mining, milling, processing, beneficiation, or other operations in connection with such claim, and is used or occupied by the proprietor for such purposes, such land may be included in an application for a patent for such claim, and may be patented therewith subject to the same requirements as to survey and notice as are applicable to placers. No location made of such nonmineral land shall exceed five acres and payment for the same shall be made at the rate applicable to placer claims which do not include a vein or lode.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2337; Pub. L. 86–390, Mar. 18, 1960, 74 Stat. 7.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in subsec. (a), were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2337 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 15, 17 Stat. 96.

Amendments

1960—Pub. L. 86–390 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

§43. Conditions of sale by local legislature

30 U.S.C. § 43

As a condition of sale, in the absence of necessary legislation by Congress, the local legislature of any State or Territory may provide rules for working mines, involving easements, drainage, and other necessary means to their complete development; and those conditions shall be fully expressed in the patent.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2338.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2338 derived from act July 26, 1866, ch. 262, § 5, 14 Stat. 252.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of Title 43, Public Lands.

[§44. Omitted — omitted]

30 U.S.C. § 44

Notes, amendments, and revision history

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section 44, R.S. § 2341; act Mar. 3, 1891, ch. 561, § 4, 26 Stat. 1097, provided for extension of provisions of Homestead laws to citizens of United States who had prior to 1874 located on lands designated prior to 1866 as mineral lands, and improved them for agricultural purposes, provided no valuable mineral deposits had been discovered thereon.

Section 45, R.S. § 2342; act Mar. 3, 1891, ch. 561, § 4, 26 Stat. 1097, provided for setting apart the lands as agricultural.

[§45. Omitted — omitted]

30 U.S.C. § 45

Notes, amendments, and revision history

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section 44, R.S. § 2341; act Mar. 3, 1891, ch. 561, § 4, 26 Stat. 1097, provided for extension of provisions of Homestead laws to citizens of United States who had prior to 1874 located on lands designated prior to 1866 as mineral lands, and improved them for agricultural purposes, provided no valuable mineral deposits had been discovered thereon.

Section 45, R.S. § 2342; act Mar. 3, 1891, ch. 561, § 4, 26 Stat. 1097, provided for setting apart the lands as agricultural.

§46. Additional land districts and officers

30 U.S.C. § 46

The President is authorized to establish additional land districts, and to appoint the necessary officers under existing laws, wherever he may deem the same necessary for the public convenience in executing the provisions of sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2343.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2343 derived from act July 26, 1866, ch. 262, § 7, 14 Stat. 252.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions

For delegation to the Secretary of the Interior of authority vested in the President by this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 10250, June 5, 1951, 16 F.R. 5385, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.

§47. Impairment of rights or interests in certain mining property

30 U.S.C. § 47

Nothing contained in sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43 shall be construed to impair in any way, rights or interests in mining property acquired under laws in force prior to July 9, 1870; nor to affect the provisions of the act entitled “An act granting to A. Sutro the right-of-way and other privileges to aid in the construction of a draining and exploring tunnel to the Comstock lode, in the State of Nevada”, approved July 25, 1866.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2344.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 48, 50 to 52, 71 to 76 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2352.

Codification

R.S. § 2344 derived from acts July 9, 1870, ch. 235, § 17, 16 Stat. 218; May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 16, 17 Stat. 96.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of Title 43, Public Lands.

§48. Lands in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota; sale and disposal as public lands

30 U.S.C. § 48

Except as otherwise provided in chapter 3A of this title, the provisions of sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 47, 51, and 52 of this title and section 661 of title 43 shall not apply to the mineral lands situated in the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, which are declared free and open to exploration and purchase, according to legal subdivisions, in like manner as before the 10th day of May 1872. And any bona fide entries of such lands within the States named since the 10th day of May 1872 may be patented without reference to such sections of this title. Such lands shall be offered for public sale in the same manner, and at the same minimum price, as other public lands.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2345; Mar. 3, 1891, ch. 561, § 4, 26 Stat. 1097; Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, § 1, 41 Stat. 437.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 21, 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 47, 51 and 52 of this title and section 661 of title 43, referred to in text, were in the original “the preceding provisions of this chapter”, meaning chapter 6 of title 32 of the Revised Statutes, consisting of R.S. §§ 2318 to 2344.

Codification

R.S. § 2345 derived from act Feb. 18, 1873, ch. 159, 17 Stat. 465.

Amendments

1920—The exception clause has been inserted at beginning of this section because of act Feb. 25, 1920, which provided that deposits of coal, phosphate, sodium, oil, oil shale, or gas, and lands containing such deposits owned by the United States, shall be subject to disposition in the form and manner provided by this act.

§49. Lands in Missouri and Kansas; disposal as agricultural lands

30 U.S.C. § 49

Except as otherwise provided in chapter 3A of this title, within the States of Missouri and Kansas deposits of coal, iron, lead, or other mineral are excluded from the operation of sections 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 35, 37, 39 to 42, and 47 of this title, and all lands in said States shall be subject to disposal as agricultural lands.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(May 5, 1876, ch. 91, 19 Stat. 52; Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, § 1, 41 Stat. 437.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Sections 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 35, 37, 39 to 42, and 47 of this title, referred to in text, were in the original “the act entitled ‘An act to promote the development of mining resources of the United States’ approved May tenth, eighteen hundred and seventy-two”, meaning act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, 17 Stat. 91, popularly known as the Mining Act of 1872. That act was incorporated into the Revised Statutes as R.S. §§ 2319 to 2328, 2331, 2333 to 2337, and 2344, which are classified to sections 22 to 24, 26 to 28, 29, 30, 33 to 35, 37, 39 to 42, and 47 of this title. For complete classification of R.S. §§ 2319 to 2328, 2331, 2333 to 2337, and 2344 to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

1920—The exception clause has been inserted at beginning of this section because of act Feb. 25, 1920, which provided that deposits of coal, phosphate, sodium, oil, oil shale, or gas, and lands containing such deposits owned by the United States, shall be subject to disposition in the form and manner provided by such act.

§49a. Mining laws of United States extended to Alaska; exploration and mining for precious metals; regulations; conflict of laws; permits; dumping tailings; pumping from sea; reservation of roadway; title to land below line of high tide or high-water mark; transfer of title to future State

30 U.S.C. § 49a

The laws of the United States relating to mining claims, mineral locations, and rights incident thereto are extended to the Territory of Alaska: Provided, That, subject only to the laws enacted by Congress for the protection and preservation of the navigable waters of the United States, and to the laws for the protection of fish and game, and subject also to such general rules and regulations as the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe for the preservation of order and the prevention of injury to the fish and game, all land below the line of ordinary high tide on tidal waters and all land below the line of ordinary high-water mark on nontidal water navigable in fact, within the jurisdiction of the United States, shall be subject to exploration and mining for gold and other precious metals, and in the Chilkat River, and its tributaries, within two and three-tenths miles of United States survey numbered 991 for all metals, by citizens of the United States, or persons who have legally declared their intentions to become such, under such reasonable rules and regulations as the miners in organized mining districts may have heretofore made or may hereafter make governing the temporary possession thereof for exploration and mining purposes until otherwise provided by law: Provided further, That the rules and regulations established by the miners shall not be in conflict with the mining laws of the United States; and no exclusive permit shall be granted by the Secretary of the Interior authorizing any person or persons, corporation, or company to excavate or mine under any of said waters, and if such exclusive permit has been granted it is revoked and declared null and void. The rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior under this section shall not, however, deprive miners on the beach of the right given to dump tailings into or pump from the sea opposite their claims, except where such dumping would actually obstruct navigation or impair the fish and game, and the reservation of a roadway sixty feet wide under section 687a–2¹ of title 43, shall not apply to mineral lands or town sites. No person shall acquire by virtue of this section any title to any land below the line of ordinary high tide or the line of ordinary high-water mark, as the case may be, of the waters described in this section. Any rights or privileges acquired hereunder with respect to mining operations in land, title to which is transferred to a future State upon its admission to the Union and which is situated within its boundaries, shall be terminable by such State, and the said mining operations shall be subject to the laws of such State.

Footnotes

1 See References in Text note below.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(June 6, 1900, ch. 786, title I, § 26, 31 Stat. 329; May 31, 1938, ch. 297, 52 Stat. 588; Aug. 8, 1947, ch. 514, § 1, 61 Stat. 916; Pub. L. 85–662, Aug. 14, 1958, 72 Stat. 615.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 687a–2 of title 43, referred to in text, was repealed by Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, §§ 703(a), 704(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2789, 2792.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 381 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Amendments

1958—Pub. L. 85–662 substituted “fish and game” for “fisheries” in three places, and inserted provisions permitting mining for all metals in Chilkat River, and its tributaries, within two and three-tenths miles of United States survey numbered 991.

1947—Act Aug. 8, 1947, permitted exploration for and mining of gold and other precious metals in beds of navigable streams.

1938—Act May 31, 1938, extended waters subject to exploration and mining for gold to include all water on shores, bays, and inlets of Alaska, and substituted Secretary of the Interior for Secretary of War, among other changes.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Non-Impairment of Valid Claims and Rights

Act Aug. 8, 1947, ch. 514, § 2, 61 Stat. 916, provided: “Nothing in this Act [amending this section] shall be deemed to affect or impair any valid claims, rights or privileges, including possessory claims under the first proviso of section 8 of the Act of May 17, 1884 (23 Stat. 26) [25 U.S.C. 280a], arising under any other provision of law.”

Executive Documents

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§49b. Mining laws relating to placer claims extended to Alaska

30 U.S.C. § 49b

The general mining laws of the United States so far as they are applicable to placer-mining claims, as prior to May 4, 1934, extended to the Territory of Alaska, are declared to be in full force and effect in said Territory: Provided, That nothing herein shall be held to change or affect the rights acquired by locators or owners of placer-mining claims prior to May 4, 1934, located in said Territory under act August 1, 1912 (37 Stat. 242, 243) and amendatory act March 3, 1925 (43 Stat. 1118).

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(May 4, 1934, ch. 211, § 2, 48 Stat. 663.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act August 1, 1912 (37 Stat. 242, 243) and amendatory act March 3, 1925 (43 Stat. 1118), referred to in text, were repealed by section 1 of act May 4, 1934. See sections 35 to 37 and 49b of this title.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to sections 119 and 381a of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Act May 4, 1934, ch. 211, § 3, 48 Stat. 663, provided that: “This Act [enacting this section] shall take effect thirty days subsequent to the date of convening of the first regular session of the Alaska Territorial Legislature which is held after the passage of this Act [May 4, 1934].”

Executive Documents

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§49c. Recording notices of location of Alaskan mining claims

30 U.S.C. § 49c

Notices of location of mining claims shall be filed for record within ninety days from the date of the discovery of the claim described in the notice, and all instruments shall be recorded in the recording district in which the property or subject matter affected by the instrument is situated, and where the property or subject matter is not situated in any established recording district the instrument affecting the same shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of the division of the court having supervision over the recording division in which such property or subject matter is situated.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(June 6, 1900, ch. 786, title I, § 15, 31 Stat. 327.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section is comprised of the proviso of section 15 of act June 6, 1900, which was formerly classified to section 382 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions. The remainder of section 15, which was formerly classified to section 119 of Title 48, was omitted from the Code.

§49d. Miners’ regulations for recording notices in Alaska; certain records legalized

30 U.S.C. § 49d

Miners in any organized mining district may make rules and regulations governing the recording of notices of location of mining claims, water rights, flumes and ditches, mill sites and affidavits of labor, not in conflict with this Act or the general laws of the United States; and nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to prevent the miners in any regularly organized mining district not within any recording district established by the court from electing their own mining recorder to act as such until a recorder therefor is appointed by the court: Provided further, All records regularly made by the United States commissioner prior to June 6, 1900, at Dyea, Skagway, and the recorder at Douglas City, not in conflict with any records regularly made with the United States commissioner at Juneau, are legalized. And all records made in good faith prior to June 6, 1900, in any regularly organized mining district are made public records.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(June 6, 1900, ch. 786, title I, § 16, 31 Stat. 328.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, means act June 6, 1900, ch. 786, 31 Stat. 321. For complete classification of title I of this act to the Code, see Tables. Title III of this act provided for the Alaska Civil Code.

Codification

Section is comprised of the two provisos of section 16 of act June 6, 1900, and part of the last sentence of that section, which were formerly classified to section 383 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions. The remainder of section 16 (excluding the last sentence) which was formerly classified to section 120 of Title 48, was omitted from the Code.

§49e. Annual labor or improvements on Alaskan mining claims; affidavits; burden of proof; forfeitures; location anew of claims; perjury

30 U.S.C. § 49e

During each year and until patent has been issued therefor, at least $100 worth of labor shall be performed or improvements made on, or for the benefit or development of, in accordance with existing law, each mining claim in Alaska heretofore or hereafter located. And the locator or owner of such claim or some other person having knowledge of the facts may also make and file with the said recorder of the district in which the claims shall be situated an affidavit showing the performance of labor or making of improvements to the amount of $100 as aforesaid and specifying the character and extent of such work. Such affidavits shall set forth the following: First, the name or number of the mining claims and where situated; second, the number of days’ work done and the character and value of the improvements placed thereon; third, the date of the performance of such labor and of making improvements; fourth, at whose instance the work was done or the improvements made; fifth, the actual amount paid for work and improvement, and by whom paid when the same was not done by the owner. Such affidavit shall be prima facie evidence of the performance of such work or making of such improvements, but if such affidavits be not filed within the time fixed by this section the burden of proof shall be upon the claimant to establish the performance of such annual work and improvements. And upon failure of the locator or owner of any such claim to comply with the provisions of this section, as to performance of work and improvements, such claim shall become forfeited and open to location by others as if no location of the same had ever been made. The affidavits required may be made before any officer authorized to administer oaths, and the provisions of sections 1621 and 1622 of title 18, are extended to such affidavits. Said affidavits shall be filed not later than ninety days after the close of the year in which such work is performed.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Mar. 2, 1907, ch. 2559, § 1, 34 Stat. 1243.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

“Sections 1621 and 1622 of title 18” substituted in text for “sections fifty-three hundred and ninety-two and fifty-three hundred ninety-three of the Revised Statutes”, which had been classified to section 231 and 232 of former Title 18, Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure, on authority of act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 683, the first section of which enacted Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Section was formerly classified to section 384 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Executive Documents

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§49f. Fees of recorders in Alaska for filing proofs of work and improvements

30 U.S.C. § 49f

The recorders for the several divisions or districts of Alaska shall collect the sum of $1.50 as a fee for the filing, recording, and indexing annual proofs of work and improvements for each claim so recorded under the provisions of section 49e of this title.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Mar. 2, 1907, ch. 2559, § 2, 34 Stat. 1243.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 385 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Executive Documents

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§50. Grants to States or corporations not to include mineral lands

30 U.S.C. § 50

No act passed at the first session of the Thirty-eighth Congress, granting lands to States or corporations to aid in the construction of roads or for other purposes, or to extend the time of grants made prior to the 30th day of January 1865 shall be so construed as to embrace mineral lands, which in all cases are reserved exclusively to the United States, unless otherwise specially provided in the act or acts making the grant.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2346.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The first session of the Thirty-eighth Congress, referred to in text, was begun Dec. 7, 1863, and ended July 4, 1864, 13 Stat. 1 to 417, contain legislation passed at such session.

Codification

R.S. § 2346 derived from Res. Jan. 30, 1865, No. 10, 13 Stat. 567.

§51. Water users’ vested and accrued rights; enumeration of uses; protection of interest; rights-of-way for canals and ditches; liability for injury or damage to settlers’ possession

30 U.S.C. § 51

Whenever, by priority of possession, rights to the use of water for mining, agricultural, manufacturing, or other purposes have vested and accrued, and the same are recognized and acknowledged by the local customs, laws, and the decisions of courts, the possessors and owners of such vested rights shall be maintained and protected in the same; and the right-of-way for the construction of ditches and canals for the purposes herein specified is acknowledged and confirmed; but whenever any person, in the construction of any ditch or canal, injures or damages the possession of any settler on the public domain, the party committing such injury or damage shall be liable to the party injured for such injury or damage.¹

Footnotes

1 See Repeal; Savings Provision note below.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2339.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2339 derived from act July 26, 1866, ch. 262, § 9, 14 Stat. 253.

Section is also set out as the first par. of section 661 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Repeal; Savings Provision

Provision of this section, “and the right-of-way for the construction of ditches and canals for the purposes herein specified is acknowledged and confirmed; but whenever any person, in the construction of any ditch or canal, injures or damages the possession of any settler on the public domain, the party committing such injury or damage shall be liable to the party injured for such injury or damage.” was repealed by Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, § 706(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2793, effective on and after Oct. 21, 1976, insofar as applicable to the issuance of rights-of-way over, upon, under, and through the public lands and lands in the National Forest System. Such repeal not to be construed as terminating any valid lease, permit, patent, etc., existing on Oct. 21, 1976, see section 701 of Pub. L. 94–579, set out as a note under section 1701 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of Title 43, Public Lands.

§52. Patents or homesteads subject to vested and accrued water rights

30 U.S.C. § 52

All patents granted, or homesteads allowed, shall be subject to any vested and accrued water rights, or rights to ditches and reservoirs used in connection with such water rights,¹ as may have been acquired under or recognized by section 51 of this title.

Footnotes

1 See Repeal; Savings Provision note below.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 2340; Mar. 3, 1891, ch. 561, § 4, 26 Stat. 1097.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 2340 derived from act July 9, 1870, ch. 235, § 17, 16 Stat. 218.

Section is also set out as the second par. of section 661 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Repeal; Savings Provision

Provision of this section, “, or rights to ditches and reservoirs used in connection with such water rights,” was repealed by Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, § 706(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2793, effective on and after Oct. 21, 1976, insofar as applicable to the issuance of rights-of-way over, upon, under, and through the public lands and lands in the National Forest System. Such repeal not to be construed as terminating any valid lease, permit, patent, etc., existing on Oct. 21, 1976, see section 701 of Pub. L. 94–579, set out as a note under section 1701 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see section 1303 of Title 43, Public Lands.

§53. Possessory actions for recovery of mining titles or for damages to such title

30 U.S.C. § 53

No possessory action between persons, in any court of the United States, for the recovery of any mining title, or for damages to any such title, shall be affected by the fact that the paramount title to the land in which such mines lie is in the United States; but each case shall be adjudged by the law of possession.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(R.S. § 910.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. § 910 derived from act Feb. 27, 1865, ch. 64, § 9, 13 Stat. 441.

Section was formerly classified to section 690 of Title 28 prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, by act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, § 1, 62 Stat. 869.

§54. Liability for damages to stock raising and homestead entries by mining activities

30 U.S.C. § 54

Notwithstanding the provisions of any Act of Congress to the contrary, any person who on and after June 21, 1949 prospects for, mines, or removes by strip or open pit mining methods, any minerals from any land included in a stock raising or other homestead entry or patent, and who had been liable under such an existing Act only for damages caused thereby to the crops or improvements of the entryman or patentee, shall also be liable for any damage that may be caused to the value of the land for grazing by such prospecting for, mining, or removal of minerals. Nothing in this section shall be considered to impair any vested right in existence on June 21, 1949.

Notes, amendments, and revision history

(June 21, 1949, ch. 232, § 5, 63 Stat. 215.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Similar Provisions

Provisions similar to this section were contained in act June 17, 1949, ch. 221, § 2, 63 Stat. 201.