Claimant
The individual or entity that has located and filed a mining claim and holds the right to extract minerals from the claimed land.
Detailed Definition
A claimant is the individual or entity that has located (or acquired through transfer) a mining claim and is recorded as the owner of the claim with the BLM and county recorder. The claimant holds the possessory right to explore for and extract minerals from the claimed land.
Who can be a claimant: - U.S. citizens (natural persons) - Corporations organized under U.S. laws - Associations of U.S. citizens - Legal entities authorized to hold property under state law - Non-citizens who have declared their intention to become citizens (historically)
Claimant responsibilities: - Pay annual BLM maintenance fees or perform assessment work - File all required annual documents with BLM and county - Maintain claim monuments and location notices - Comply with surface management regulations - Obtain required permits for exploration and mining activities - Complete reclamation of disturbed areas
Claimant rights: - Exclusive possessory right to minerals within the claim - Right to occupy the claim for mining purposes - Right to reasonable surface access - Right to sell, transfer, or lease the claim - Right to extract and market minerals
Multiple claimants: A mining claim may have multiple claimants (co-locators), each holding an undivided interest. All claimants are jointly responsible for maintenance and filing requirements.
Transfer of claimant status: When a claim is transferred (typically by quitclaim deed), the new owner becomes the claimant of record. Transfers must be recorded with both the BLM and county recorder.
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.
Maintenance Fee
The annual fee paid to the BLM to maintain an unpatented mining claim, currently $200 per claim (2025).
Locator
The person who physically stakes and locates a mining claim on public lands, who may or may not be the claimant of record.
Transfer
The conveyance of a mining claim from one party to another, typically by quitclaim deed, which must be recorded with the BLM and county.