[Rockhounds] uninformed questions

[Tim Fisher]

The answer to your question about claims: there are patented claims that are
usually long running mines. The idea of a "patent" was to cement the claim
in the name of the claimant. They own the land and all the rights, including
minerals. The owner has the right to do just about anything they want as
long as it's legal. But lots of permits are involved, sometimes a decade or
so of studies, and the economic viability of the mine must be shown. The
feds stopped giving patents in the mid 90s. A "standard claim" is for the
mineral rights only. I should know, I have 3 of them lol. The feds still own
the land and everything on it except for the minerals. The claimant has to
re-up it every year or it will be forfeit, and there are more permits
involved in using power equipment. If you do something really dumb like
drill a shaft straight into the earth they tend to get upset. At least in
the Pacific NW patented mines that are still being worked are pretty rare.
But one thunderegg mine near us was patented I believe in the 60s, the owner
lived in a nice little cabin he built all summer, wintered in town. His step
granddaughter and her husband have it now. They have the good sense to
winter in Florida. He recently died at (I think) 94, I had been to several
of his "87th birthday" parties :D

Tim Fisher
Http://OreRockOn.com 
Email nospam at orerockon.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Rockhounds [mailto:rockhounds-bounces at rockhounds.drizzle.com] On
Behalf Of Dennis Buffenmyer
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2020 11:42 AM
To: Rockhound List
Subject: [Rockhounds] uninformed questions

Now, bear in mind, I reside east of the mississippi. Perhaps that will give
you background in order to answer my two questions.

First, are we at a point yet where we fairly well know where everything is
geologically/mineralogically in north america?? How about all of the
americas?? The world??

Is there such a place where the "ore" has been removed, but there is the
potential of mineral specimens? How does one find out about such a place?? I
realize there are two different mining claims a patented and a
(?) , but how does one go about obtaining one??

Yea, I know, I am dreaming the dream.

Dennis Buffenmyer


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