Minerals Program
Minerals Info |
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Report Mining Claim Fraud |
The Oregon/Washington BLM is responsible for a wide variety of activities within the minerals program. We adjudicate documents on Federal mining claims, validate title evidence, review mineral validity reports, and provide guidance for surface use management and use and occupancy under the mining laws. We retain records of mineral surveys and patents, process lease applications for minerals and mineral materials, maintain bonds, and conduct oil and gas, geothermal, and coal lease sales.
![The Last Sumpter Floating Dredge, 1934 - 1954](images/mineral-dredge.jpg)
BLM Minerals Policy Statement
In 1984, the BLM issued its first mineral policy. In 1993, Executive Order 12861 required Federal agencies to reduce their internal management regulations and directives by at least 50 percent. In 1995, as part of this effort, the 1984 Mineral Policy was eliminated. In 2006, the policy was updated and re-issued via Instruction Memorandum 2006-197. more>>
Ascot Prospecting Permit
In 2011, Ascot Resources USA's (Ascot) submitted applications for a hardrock "prospecting permits" for approximately 900 acres of Mineral Survey lands (often referred to as the "Mt. Margaret Deposit") in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest in the vicinity of Goat Mountain in Skamania County, Washington.
The BLM is working in close coordination with the U.S. Forest Service's Gifford-Pinchot National Forest to process Ascot's prospecting permit application. Following public scoping in February/March of 2012, an Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared that addresses the proposed exploration plan and reasonable alternatives.
NOTE: The public comment period for the EA has now been extended to August 15, 2012. more>>
Resources
- Locatable Minerals
- Leasable Minerals (Oil and Gas, Geothermal, Coal and Acquired Hardrock)
- Saleable Minerals (Sand, Stone, Gravel)
- Bonding
- Occupancy
- Rockhounding on Public Lands
- Recreational Mining, Mining History and Geologic Interests
- Sixes River Gold Panning Area
- Sunstone Collection Area
- Gold Nugget Wayside/Recreation Site
- Sterling Mine Ditch Trail
- Recreational Gold Panning in Medford District
- Yellowbottom Recreation Site
- Owyhee Wild and Scenic River
- Leslie Gulch Site
- Twin Lakes
- Diamond Craters
- Steens Mountain
- Alvord Desert/Mann Lake
- China Ditch
- Fossils and Meteorites
- Laws Regulations and Policy
- Abandoned Mine Lands (AML)
- State of Oregon Links
- State of Washington Links
- US Forest Service Links
- Other Links
- BLM Forms on Forms Central Website
- Wildlife and Claim Posts
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