MINING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Who in Colorado area can assay ore?
Answer: As of July 15, 2013 HIGH PLAINS LIVING
HISTORY AND TRADING COMPANY, LLC can assay gold and silver. They are located at 1695 N Heron Dr, Pueblo West, CO 81007.
Phone : 719-547-2455 and Email: HIGHPLAINS2
@YAHOO.COM. Call or email them for details.
Do NOT send your samples before contacting them.
Q. What rules apply to recreational gold panning?
Answer: Gold panning for
recreation may occur on
Q. I want to go
rockhoundlng on public land; do I need a mining calm to legally collect?
Answer: No. Regulations and
procedures for property looking for some minerals, as well as fossil hunting
are explained In the
Q. Can I file a mining claim to get my own land in the
mountains?
Answer No. A mining calm on
public lands is a “possessory mineral Interest”. This means that a mining claimant
has a limited right to the location for mining or milling purposes only. No
deed accompanies this right. It does not grant excusive right to
"vacation" or "fish" on the land, to the claim holder. If
the surface use is not otherwise encumbered, anyone may enter upon a claim on
public lands for recreational purposes. Mining claims are not a homesteading
program, permission for occupancy falls under 43
Q. If I file a mining claim can I eventually obtain
title to the land?
Answer: No, not at this time.
Since October 1, 1994, Congress has imposed a moratorium on
Q. How do I locate a mining claim?
Answer: Information can be
found on our website, Mining Claim Locations, and in the brochure titled Mining
claims and Sites on Federal lands. The regulations for locating a claim fall
under 43
Q. What are the Governing Laws for mining?
Answer: In 1872, Congress
passed the General Mining law which stated that all un-appropriated lands were
open to entry and purchase. In the ensuing years it has been amended by acts of
Congress and Interpreted by countless court decisions but is largely intact.
Currently ores of metallic elements and uncommon varieties of non metallic
deposits are available under 43
Q. How can I learn more about unpatented mining
claims?
Answer: Information on
federal unpatented mining claims nationwide can be found in the
Q. How can I get patented mining claim Information?
Answer: Generally, lode and
placer claims were surveyed prior to granting the patent, there are also claims
in Colorado that were surveyed but a patent was never issued. In order to do an
effective search you will need to have some basic Information on the mining
claim, such as legal description, Mineral Survey number, or the patent serial
number. Original patent information may be obtained by searching on-line at the
Q. What are the regulations for locatable mineral
mining and prospecting operations?
Answer: In addition to state
requirements, the federal regulations Identify 3 tiers of use on a mining claim
based on surface disturbance and commercial use (sales).
Q. What is CASUAL USE?
Casual use prospecting Includes
those activities which cause very little or no disturbance. For example:
collection of geochemical, rock, soil, or mineral specimens using hand tools;
hand panning; or non-motorized sluicing. It also generally includes use of
metal detectors, gold spears and other battery-operated devices for sensing the
presence of minerals, and hand and battery-operated dry washers. Operators may
use motorized vehicles for casual use activities only If the use is consistent
with the regulations governing such use (part 43
Q. What is NOTICE LEVEL?
A person must file a Notice
of Intent to Conduct Prospecting Operations (
Q. What is a
An approved Plan of
Operations Is required for exploration activities disturbing In excess of 5
acres, bulk sampling of 1,000 tons or more, and all proposed mining or milling
operations (regardless of the acreage disturbed). A Plan Is required for any
operation causing surface disturbance greater than
Casual Use
In special status areas as defined In 43
Q. What about suction dredging on public land?
Answer: A person must contact
the
The
Q. Where can I find more Information?
Answer: Contact the
Q. Can I metal detect within the city limits of
Wheatridge?
Answer: Yes you can now metal
detect in Wheatridge.
BUT YOU MUST BE ISSUED A PERMIT BY THE
The permit is free. Go to this web site http://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/index.aspx?nid=575 Look for the 4th bullet under
Forms, click on the link. Follow the
form instructions and the Rules and Regulations to the letter to keep
out of trouble. Happy
detecting.
Q.
Where can I sell my gold at a fair price?
Answer: You can call Steve
the Owner of Capital Jewelers at 8550 W Colfax (shopping strip where Quality
Auto Sound is located at Colfax and Carr St) his number is 303-235-0856, tell
him you are from the Gold Prospectors of the Rockies and you have some gold you
need to process and sell.
He will direct
you to NTR metals where you simply tell them you have talked with Steve at
Capital and you have some material you are getting rid of under the Account of
Capitol Jewelers. You will take your metals they take Platinum, Palladium,
Silver and Gold they will weigh the materials upon receipt and smelt and purify
your material and after it done they will pay 2% less on spot market prices for
that day.
You will receive
a Check for the Material payable to Capital Jewelers. You can take this check
to Steve at Capitol Tuesday through Saturday and present it to Steve; he will
take 10% off the total price of the NTR check and issue a check in your name
for the balance.