*HOW TO STAKE A MINING CLAIM

Placer Claims: Mineral deposits subject to placer claims include all those deposits not subject to lode claims. Originally, these included only deposits of unconsolidated materials, such as sand and gravel, containing free gold or other minerals.

By Congressional acts and judicial interpretations, many nonmetallic bedded or layered deposits, such as gypsum and high calcium limestone, are also considered placer deposits.

Placer claims, where practicable, are located by legal subdivision (for example: the E NE 1/4 NE 1/4, Section 2, Township 10 South, Range 21 East, Mount Diablo Meridian).

The maximum size of a placer claim is 20 acres per locator. An association of two locators may locate 40 acres, and three may locate 60 acres, etc.

The maximum area of an association placer claim is 160 acres for eight or more persons. However, the maximum size of an association placer claim in Alaska is limited to 40 acres under State law.

The maximum size of a placer claim for corporations is 20 acres per claim. Corporations may not locate association placer claims unless they are in association with other private individuals or other corporations as co-locators.