I was reading up on Utah airstrips, and I discovered that many of them were created for ferrying geologists out to mining claims in order to survey them for mineral content. A few bottles of liquid refreshment later, I got to thinking that if I could find a smattering of valuable minerals somewhere, I could file my own claim on government land and build me an airstrip as the most convenient way to access it.

I actually have a couple of sites in mind. One of them is on forest service land in the mountains to the south of my hometown. Gold was discovered there in 1898, but it was abandoned as unprofitable largely because it was so far from any road. In 1968, a claim was filed on it, and it was worked as a casual operation until 1987. It's been abandoned ever since. There's still gold there, but it is extremely improbable that there is enough to justify full scale mining operations. However, there is certainly enough to pan out and pay for the avgas of getting there , a few tins of beans, and whatnot. There are a couple of other sites I know about that I need to investigate further.

I'm researching all of the applicable laws, and so far it looks quite achievable. There must actually be valuable minerals that you can extract for a profit. It has to be on land that is open to mineral exploration (not National Park, wilderness, etc., but BLM and Forest Service land is generally open) You have to file with the BLM and with your county. It's a $170 fee to file with the BLM, and $125 a year to maintain the claim, although if you own less than ten claims, you can reduce the fee to $25 if you can show "assessment work" (mining and improvements). You have a legal right to access your claim, and if it's in the boonies, a strong argument can be made that it's far more environmentally friendly to put in a half mile airstrip than it is to put in miles of roads (cheaper too!).

Of course, none of you will be allowed to visit my backcountry strip! It will be for mining purposes only! Well, unless you're bringing mining supplies... beverages, for instance!

Does anyone have any experience with small-scale mining claims? It is my understanding that in order to put in an improvement that is the magnitude of an airstrip first requires a "notice of intent" to the governing agency. There are certainly many strips that have been built in the past to service mines. Is anyone aware of attempts to build a new airstrip to serve a mine that was blocked by a government agency?

Is anyone else interested in pursuing something like this? Am I nuts to try?

Sounds like a great adventure. I've always fantasized about finding wealth in minerals. Just don't think that I would be able to justify a gold mining operation in the White Mountains of New Hamster.
Now, if I could lay claim to a diamond mine, I could get Nancy interested in the scam.
Steve

That's got to be one of the most creative things I've heard of in a long time. I love it. Best Wishes!

I have a D-5C dozer we could sky crane in for strip improvements.
It would take a large nugget to pay the mobilization fee though.

I love it! Someone said it before but, yes, very creative. Refreshing to such a great idea once in a while.

Gadzooks Kevbert! What a cool idea! I would like to hear how this plan works out if you proceed.

There's a "Gold Miners Assn of America" or some such, they might have some info regarding legal requirements/benefits of mining claims.

Eric

Kevbert,

Yes, it can be done, but you would have to be really serious about it and willing to spend the time, money and effort to see it through. It looks like you're in WA so check with:

http://www.washingtonprospectors.org.

They can fill in a lot of details. Be aware most of those Utah strips were put in many years ago when it was much easier to work with the federal and state agencies. Also, natural resource companies tend to have the financial and technical assets to pull it off. It is more challenging for an individual.

Are you nuts to try? Hey, don't you fly an airplane and you ask a silly question like that? We are all nuts to try to keep an airplane up to the point that it satisfies the FAA. Then buy $4.00 a gallon fuel, $20,000. engines. and on and on. I wish I had a couple of gold mines. Lord knows I could sure use one. Bob

It is the "Mining Act of 1872". Every citizen is given 20 acres?