Natural Resources
Fact Sheet
Gold Prospecting and Sluicing
Black Hills National Forest
March 2004
Most of the National Forests in the western states are open to prospecting
and mining, including panning and sluicing for gold. However, it is important
that you recognize the following:
First, a considerable amount of privately owned land exists within the
boundaries of most National Forests. These private lands are not open
to prospecting or mining without the owner's permission. National Forest
visitor maps, for sale at all Forest Service offices
or online, show the
general location of these privately owned tracts.
Second, some National Forest areas are not available for prospecting
and mining, including panning for gold. Those areas may include Wilderness,
Acquired Mineral Lands, and Mineral Withdrawal Areas. The local
ranger
district office can provide information about these specific areas.
Third, the more easily found mineral deposits have already been discovered
and "claimed" by other prospectors. Entering onto these claims
for the purpose of prospecting or removing any mineral is "claim
jumping" or trespassing.
Finally, most western states have laws regarding prospecting and mining
that vary from state to state. Therefore, it is important to understand
and comply with state law when panning or sluicing on the National Forest.
Before you begin prospecting, check the local county records in the county
courthouse for any claims in the area in which you are interested. Then
check the area on the ground for any evidence of a claim that may have
been staked recently.
Regulations governing prospecting for minerals and staking a
mining claim:
In general, three government agencies regulate prospecting and mining
on Forest Service lands:
Forest Service: The Forest Service manages
the surface estate of the National Forest lands and is charged with ensuring
that no adverse impacts to resources such as endangered species, water
quality, fisheries, etc. result from prospecting and mining activities.
Normally, panning or sluicing for gold using hand tools and non-motorized
equipment is allowed without a Forest Service permit or bond. If an operation
requires use of motorized equipment, suction dredges, results in the removal
of vegetation, or causes significant ground disturbance, a prospector
must contact the closest
Forest Service district office
to file a Notice of Intent to prospect or mine. Once a Notice of Intent is filed, the
district office will provide specific bond and reclamation requirements to the
prospector.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM): The federal
agency responsible for managing the mineral estate of the United States
is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM Montana State Office manages
minerals in South Dakota and is the office in which a claim staked in
South Dakota is recorded. Please contact the BLM at (406) 896-5004 if
you wish to stake a mineral claim in South Dakota. The BLM Wyoming State
Office manages the federal mineral estate in Wyoming. If you wish to stake
a claim on federal land in Wyoming, please contact the BLM at (307) 775-6251
or go to
http://www.wy.blm.gov/faqs/index.htm.
State Law: Most western states have different
requirements for mining and prospecting. In general the State of South
Dakota does not require a permit for panning or hand sluicing; however,
permits and bonds are needed when motorized equipment or suction dredging
is used. Specific state requirements for South Dakota can be found at
http://www.state.sd.us/denr/enviro/mining.htm or by contacting Mike
Cepak at (605) 773-4201.
The State of Wyoming also regulates mining and prospecting. In general,
the use of hand tools, pans, and sluices is allowed; however, prohibitions
may exist on certain streams due to water quality concerns. In addition,
permits and bonds may be required for suction dredges and for the use
of motorized equipment. Contact Don McKenzie at (307) 672-6488 for information
on Wyoming requirements for obtaining permits or go to
http://www.osmre.gov/osm.htm.
|