Mining
Mining Forms and Notices
Please visit the Nevada Division of Minerals website for helpful mining forms and notices. The Bureau of Land Management website also has mining information.
Mining Claim Procedures Book:
Nevada Bureau of Mines Procedures Book (PDF)
Section - Township - Range Map:
Mining Notice of Location
Lode Notice of Location (PDF)
Millsite Notice of Location (PDF)
Placer Notice of Location (PDF)
Mining Certificate of Location
Lode Certificate of Location (PDF)
Millsite Certificate of Location (PDF)
Placer Certificate of Location (PDF)
Placer Assoc Certificate of Location (PDF)
Mining Claim Map
Nevada State law (NRS 517.040) requires that two copies of a map showing the claim must be prepared and filed with the County Recorder within 90 days after posting a notice of location. These must be filed at the same time as the certificate of location. The claim map is used by the county to prepare a series of maps showing all unpatented claims in that county. The size of each map sheet must be either 8 1/2 by 14 inches or 24 by 36 inches. Any 8 1/2 by 14 inch sheet must be capable of being photocopied. Any 24 by 36 inch sheet must be a mylar print or other material capable of being reproduced by standard means.
If you are placing your claims on an 8 1/2 by 14 inch map, please leave a 3 by 3 inch recording area in the top right corner.
Download an 8-1/2 by 14 inch Mining Map form (PDF).
The map scale must be no smaller than 500 feet to the inch (that is, a claim 1,500 feet long must be shown with a length of at least 3 inches on the map). The map must show the position of the location monument and the claim-boundaries in relation to other claims, and establish numbers for the claim boundary monuments. A single map may be used for more than one claim, but each claim should be labeled with its name. Figure 5 is an example of a map that would meet those requirements. All claim maps are to be prepared in a similar manner.
The map must show the relationship of the claim or claim group to the public land survey or to a readily identifiable landmark so that the claims can be plotted on the mining maps maintained by the county. Whenever possible, the claim should be tied by measured distance and direction to a section corner. Where the land has not been surveyed or a section corner cannot be found, the claim must be tied by distance and direction to a natural landmark or a readily identifiable artificial landmark which is customarily shown on a map (for example, a bench mark monument or the intersection of two roads).
Locators need not employ a surveyor or engineer, but should do the work and prepare the map to the best of their ability. However, locators who willfully make false material statements are guilty of a Class D felony which is punishable by imprisonment for a minimum term of 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 4 years. In addition to any penalty the Court may impose a fine of not more than $5,000 (NRS 517.300).
The map description should also state the township and range and, if possible, the section and quarter section in which the claim and the landmark are situated. It is also desirable to have the following information on the map: the type of claim (lode or placer), the date of location of the claim, the name and post office address of the locator, the county, the type of monuments used, the bearing and distance between monuments, the scale of the map, and a north arrow (true or magnetic). The claim map is a public record. The County Recorder cannot refuse to accept a map unless he or she can affirmatively show that the map does not accurately reflect the location of all the claims.
Annual Mining Claim Forms
Affidavit Notice of Intent to Hold (PDF)
Affidavit of Annual Assessment (PDF)
Annual Mining Claim Fees
Mining Certificate of Location Fees (XLS)
Mining Annual Assessment Work Fees (XLS)
How to Amend Mining Claims
Mining claims can be amended on one certificate of location if the claims are contiguous. Please list the original certificate of locations recording document number and the reason you are amending the claims. When the claims are amended on one form, the cost is $36.00 for the first claim listed on form and $10.00 per each additional claim on form. This saves the miner the $26 additional for each claim.
Amended map fee is $41.00 and requires the original map recording document number and the reason you are amending map. If the map has to be replotted then the normal mining map fees will apply.
Nevada law (NRS 517.215) allows the County Recorder to make changes on the county claim map to eliminate inaccuracies with unpatented claims. The County Recorder must notify the claim owners, and the claim owners must request a hearing within 30 days if they wish to contest the change.
Nevada law (NRS 517.213) requires the County Recorder to include all patented mines and mining claims on the county map and clearly distinguish them from unpatented claims. When a registered surveyor files a record of survey showing the location of a patented mine or mining claim, the County Recorder must conform the county map to the record of survey if there is any discrepancy between the two.