Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. We encourage all site visits before purchase — no deposit or obligation required. Just reach out and we'll arrange access at a time that works for you. Visiting the claim allows you to assess road access, terrain, and sampling potential before making a decision.

We handle all filing on your behalf. Here's the typical timeline:

• Day 1-10: We draft and notarize your quitclaim deed
• Day 10-14: We file with the BLM and county recorder
• Day 14-45: Officially stamped copies arrive from the county and BLM

Within 2–3 weeks, the claim will show as ACTIVE in your name in the BLM's LR2000 system and county records.

Yes — under contract you'll receive a temporary conveyance of mineral rights that allows for sampling, recreational use, and casual operations while you pay it off. This means you can start exploring and even doing small-scale work while completing your payments.

Yes. Most western states — including California, Nevada, Colorado, and Oregon — allow up to 14 days of camping per stay on public lands where your claim is located. Some claims have excellent level camp sites with shade and water access. Check your specific claim details for camping information.

Annual BLM maintenance fees are due on or before September 1st of each year. The standard fee is $200 per claim (placer claims pay $200 per 20 acres). If you hold 10 or fewer claims nationwide, you can file a Small Miner's Waiver instead of paying that fee — it requires $100 of assessment work per claim, a waiver certification filed by September 1st, and an affidavit of labor filed by December 30th ($15 per claim processing fee). We're happy to walk you through the renewal process after purchase at no charge.

Missing the September 1st deadline results in automatic forfeiture — mark your calendar!

Lode claims are on hard-rock mineral deposits — ore embedded in solid rock, typically gold, silver, or copper in quartz veins or fault zones. These require crushing, milling, or direct mining of the host rock.

Placer claims are on alluvial or unconsolidated deposits — gold or other minerals that have been eroded from their host rock and concentrated in stream gravels, bench gravels, or ancient streambeds. These can often be worked with simpler equipment like sluices, pans, and dry washers.

Unpatented claims are the most common type. The US government retains surface title, but you hold exclusive mineral rights and the right to mine commercially. You must pay annual BLM assessment fees to maintain the claim.

Patented claims are historical claims where the claimant holds full fee-simple title to both surface and mineral rights — essentially private property on what was once federal land. No new patents have been issued since 1994, making them rare and valuable. No BLM fees are required, and you can build permanent structures.

The standard annual BLM maintenance fee is $200 per claim (placer claims pay $200 per 20 acres), due on or before September 1st each year. If you hold 10 or fewer claims nationwide, you qualify for the Small Miner's Waiver instead of paying that fee — it requires $100 of assessment work per claim, a waiver certification filed by September 1st, and an affidavit of labor filed by December 30th ($15 per claim processing fee).

Some counties also require a notarized Notice of Intent to Hold before the end of the calendar year (first year only). Contact your county recorder's office for specific requirements.

No. Only temporary structures are allowed on an unpatented mining claim — the government retains surface rights, so permanent structures aren't permitted.

As long as you continue paying your yearly assessments to the Bureau of Land Management, you can keep your claim virtually forever. Some mining claims are over 120 years old and have been passed down from generation to generation.

After purchase, a quitclaim deed is filed on your behalf with the appropriate organizations to confer official mineral rights and claim ownership to you. You'll also receive an official Map of Location, an official Certificate of Location, a Google Earth™ KMZ file with your claim's boundaries, corners, and discovery monument, and a new-owner packet with helpful mining resources.

We offer owner financing on most of our claims: 25% down, 10% fixed interest, and 12 equal monthly payments. No credit checks required. See our Financing Terms page for full details.

We require a 25% deposit on all financed purchases of mining claims.

Not at this time. However, financing a claim is an affordable way to get your foot in the door and start working toward ownership.

We accept credit and debit cards, wire transfer, and check or money order. Please contact us for additional payment options.