Closed Claim
A mining claim that is no longer active, having been abandoned, forfeited, voided, or patented.
Detailed Definition
A closed claim is a mining claim that is no longer in active status. A claim may be closed for various reasons, including voluntary abandonment, involuntary forfeiture, BLM declaration of voidness, or conversion to private ownership through the patent process.
- Abandonment: The claimant voluntarily relinquished the claim
- Forfeiture: The claim was lost due to failure to pay maintenance fees or file required documents
- Void determination: The BLM or a court declared the claim invalid
- Patent: The claim was converted to private ownership (historical -- patent moratorium since 1994)
- Relinquishment: The claimant formally surrendered the claim to the government
BLM records: Closed claims carry a "C" disposition code in BLM records. The record shows the date of closure and typically the reason. Closed claims remain in BLM databases for historical reference.
Effects of closure: - The former claimant loses all rights to the minerals - The land generally returns to open status (if not withdrawn or otherwise restricted) - New claims may be located on the formerly claimed ground - The former claimant cannot reassert rights to the closed claim
Research significance: Closed claims provide valuable historical information: - Where minerals have been found or sought in the past - Historical ownership and exploration patterns - Ground that has been released and may be available for new claims - Trends in claim activity over time
Distinction from void claims: Closed claims were once valid but are no longer active. Void claims were never valid or were declared invalid.
Related Terms
Abandonment
The voluntary relinquishment of a mining claim, demonstrated by intent to abandon combined with an act of abandonment.
Forfeiture
The involuntary loss of a mining claim due to failure to comply with statutory requirements such as annual maintenance fees or assessment work.
Disposition Code
A BLM status code indicating the current state of a mining claim, such as active, closed, or void.
Void Claim
A mining claim that has been declared invalid by the BLM or a court, typically due to a fundamental defect in location or maintenance.
Active Claim
A mining claim that is currently in good standing with the BLM, with all maintenance fees paid and filing requirements met.