The current assessment year began on September 1, 2008 and ends on September 1, 2009 at noon.
- The annual maintenance fees for mining claims, due to BLM on or before September 1, 2009 are $125 per claim.
- New mining claims recorded with the BLM are $170 per claim. This includes a $30 location fee, $125 maintenance fee and a $15 processing fee.
Every year, mining claimants must file either a Claim Maintenance Fee or a Maintenance Fee Waiver Certificate (Waiver).
Additionally, if you file a Waiver you must also file an Affidavit of Performance of Annual Labor or a Notice of Intent to Hold. We recommend that you file the Waiver at the same time you file either the Affidavit or the Notice.
Claim Maintenance Fee payments must be made on or before September 1, 2009. These payments are made in advance of the current assessment year. Make checks payable to Department of the Interior/BLM. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are also accepted.
Waivers must be filed on or before September 1, 2009. Waivers are also filed in advance of the current assessment year. Processing fees are not required for filing a Waiver. For additional Waiver information see 43 CFR 3835. To qualify for a Waiver, claimants must meet the following conditions:
- Hold or control no more then 10 mining claims, mill sites or tunnel sites nationwide;
- File Form 3830-2, Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification with BLM that includes name, address and original signatures of all owners. Also list claim names and serial numbers;
- Complete the assessment work for the current assessment year prior to September 1, 2009. A Waiver requested by September 1, 2008 necessitates filing a Notice of Intent to Hold by December 30, 2009, and an Affidavit of Assessment Work by December 30, 2009. The processing fee is $10 per claim.
Additionally, file a Proof of Labor or Notice of Intent to Hold with the respective County Recorder's Office where the claims are located.
Mining claimants are responsible for filing paperwork on time. Documents may be sent by certified mail or express mail to ensure delivery. The BLM processes a large volume of mail and cannot provide information on the status of documents which have been submitted. Ordinarily, you will receive a receipt from the BLM within 7 to 14 days. If you have not received your receipt, you may want to check with the bank to ensure your check has cleared.
Filings postmarked after September 1, 2009 will not be accepted. Mail filings to:
Bureau of Land Management
Arizona State Office
One North Central Avenue
Suite 800
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4427
Questions can be directed to our Information Access Center at 602-417-9200 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
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