*MINING LAW OF 1872 AS AMENDED

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Mining Claims, Mining Plans, and Lands Open to Mining

BLM: The BLM as the primary responsibility for administering the laws and regulations regarding the disposal of locatable minerals from all federally administered lands. The BLM's statutory authority is derived from the Mining Law of 1872, as amended (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.), the original public land authority in 43 U.S.C,.2, 1201 and 1457, and FLPMA (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). These statutes, together with the regulations (43 CFR 3800) and numerous judicial and administrative decisions that have interpreted them, make up the body of the mining law system. The law itself may be examined in most BLM State Offices or in public libraries.

For information concerning BLM regulations and public lands open to mining in specific areas, contact the proper BLM State or local office.

Forest Service: For information regarding Federal land within the National Forest System and Forest Service surface management regulations (36 CFR 228[A])contact the appropriate Forest Service Regional or local Ranger District Office. Forest Service Regional Office locations are also listed at the back of this pamphlet.

State: Information on State and local requirements and cooperative agreements between the State, the BLM, and the Forest Service may be obtained at local BLM and Forest Service offices.

Otherwise, contact the appropriate State or local agency.