BLM
The Bureau of Land Management, the federal agency that administers public lands including mining claim filings and maintenance.
Detailed Definition
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior responsible for managing approximately 245 million acres of public lands, primarily in the western United States.
BLM responsibilities related to mining: - Administering the Mining Law of 1872 - Processing and recording mining claim filings - Maintaining the LR2000 mining claims database - Collecting annual maintenance fees - Enforcing mining regulations and reclamation requirements
- LR2000: Legacy Rehost 2000 system containing mining claims records
- GeoCommunicator: Geographic data access portal
- MLRS: Mining Law Administration System
All mining claims on federal lands must be filed with and maintained through the BLM state office with jurisdiction over the claim location.
Related Terms
Mining Claim
A parcel of land for which a claimant has asserted a right of possession and the right to develop and extract mineral resources.
PLSS
The Public Land Survey System, a method of subdividing and describing land in the United States using townships, ranges, and sections.
Mineral Entry
The appropriation of public lands under the mining laws for the purpose of mineral exploration and development.
Federal Lands
Lands owned by the US government and managed by federal agencies such as the BLM, USFS, NPS, and others.
BLM State Office
Regional BLM offices that process mining claim filings, maintain land status records, and manage public lands within their jurisdiction.
Land Status
The current legal status of a parcel of public land, including ownership, withdrawals, reservations, and available entry types.
Annual Filing
The requirement to file proof of annual maintenance fee payment or assessment work with the BLM and county recorder each year to maintain a mining claim.
Notice-Level Operations
Mining activities on public lands that cause 5 acres or less of surface disturbance, requiring a Notice filed with the BLM 15 days before operations begin.