Old mine in Mariposa County
Sierra Sun Times file photo
July 23, 2020 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reminds claimants who wish to retain their existing mining claims on federal public lands through the 2021 assessment year to pay a maintenance fee or file a Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification (Small Miner’s Waiver) on or before Sept. 1, 2020, to prevent the mining claim from being declared forfeit and void.
The maintenance fee for a lode claim, tunnel site or mill site is $165 per claim/site. For placer mining claims only, the fees are $165 for every 20 acres or portion thereof. Claimants who filed a Small Miner's Waiver last year in 2019 for the 2020 assessment year will be required to file an Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work form, including the required $15 processing fee per claim on or before Dec. 30, 2020.
Each payment must be accompanied by a written list of the claim names and BLM serial numbers for which the maintenance fee is being paid. All maintenance fees or Maintenance Fee Waiver Certifications must be paid or filed by mail with a check to BLM California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825, or online with a credit card through the BLM’s payment portal at https://payp.blm.gov/eppcore/home. Payments or filings by mail must be postmarked on or before Sept. 1, 2020.
The BLM is following local, state, and federal guidelines on a phased approach to safely reopen in-person public access to visitor centers and public rooms in our California offices. As we continue to operate and serve the public during this time, safety of our visitors and employees is our top priority. The California State Office public room in Sacramento remains temporarily closed to in-person visits. Therefore, we encourage submission of mining claims by mail or online. Please visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/mining-and-minerals/locatable-minerals/mining-claims/fees to review the mining claim fees online.
For more information on the filing deadlines, maintenance fees, Maintenance Fee Waiver Certifications or Federal Land Policy and Management Act filings (Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work or Notice of Intent to Hold) please call 916-978-4400 or visit https://www.blm.gov/public-room/california.
Source: BLM
