Mineral Entry
The appropriation of public lands under the mining laws for the purpose of mineral exploration and development.
Detailed Definition
Mineral entry is the legal act of appropriating public lands under the mining laws for the purpose of mineral exploration and development. It is the mechanism by which private parties acquire mineral rights on federal public lands.
- Location: Filing a mining claim for locatable minerals under the Mining Law of 1872
- Leasing: Obtaining a lease for leasable minerals (oil, gas, coal, phosphate, sodium, potassium) under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920
- Sale: Purchasing salable minerals (sand, gravel, stone) under the Materials Act of 1947
Requirements for mineral entry by location: - Lands must be open to mineral entry (not withdrawn or reserved) - A valid discovery of a valuable mineral deposit - Proper staking, monumentation, and posting - Timely recording with county and BLM - Annual maintenance (fees or assessment work)
Lands open to mineral entry: - Unreserved, unappropriated public domain - National Forest lands (for locatable minerals) - Other lands not subject to withdrawal
Restrictions on mineral entry: - Withdrawn lands are closed to new mineral entry - Some lands are open only for specific types of mineral entry - Environmental and surface management regulations apply - Permits may be required for exploration activities
Mineral entry is the foundational concept for all private mineral development on public lands.
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.
Mining Law of 1872
The foundational federal law governing the location and patenting of mining claims for hard rock minerals on public lands.
Open to Entry
Public lands that are available for the location of mining claims under the Mining Law of 1872.
Withdrawal
An action by the federal government that removes public lands from availability for mining claim location or other forms of entry.