Prospecting code of ethics Options

[russau]

yep,when i go out in the summer dredgeing, i usually go for two weeks at a time. i like to cleanup my dredge at the end of every day and screen it down at the creekside.YUP them buckets would get real heavy carring if i didnt do that. sometimes i give my cons a quick pan down by the creek to saee how im doing, but they go back home with me for my finnal cleanup in the winter months.

[fenixsmom]

Thank you for supporting his statement Nassau! I'm only allowed to carry 20 lbs. In my current state, so this will take a burden off my belly!

[Coalbunny]

I think what I see is an inquiry about the legalities of prospecting. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Technically a 20 lb. bucket is casual use. No claim, Notice of Intent or Plan of Operations required. IIRC the limit is 50 lbs., though Dan (et.al.) will have to verify that for me. I don't remember what the time frame restriction is, however it generally means no use of motorized equipment. In some places the BLM gets really weird about it and they may say that includes the vehicle used to access the site.

If it's not private property, not claimed, not in a state or federal park, there shouldn't be any problem. If someone owns it or has it claimed, get permission first (of course).
There is a grey area, however. If it is owned by a municipality, that may or may not be something you can do. I'm uncertain myself. I have rarely had any problems with municipalities giving me permission to gold pan (if done responsibly and sometimes offering to teach some of their curious employees or their kids how to pan helps a lot), and even a couple state parks had no problem with it.

Be open. Be honest. Be happy. Be friendly. And I betcha you should have very little trouble getting permission.

[fenixsmom]

Thanks Coalbunny! I've decided I'm too darn pregnant to be mulin' dirt to and fro! I'll be workin dirt to concentrates and taking that back to work in my new finishing sluice that Chris sent me! I love it
Thank you for your reply! I'll keep it in mind though for when I'm stocking up for the winter?

[Coalbunny]

BTW, one trick I learned years back is using a funnel and soda pop bottles. The bottles are plastic and light. Rinse them out good and use them to hold the concentrates.
This is great when hiking in and working several different sites. You can use any size of soda bottle you want, as small as the 4 fl.oz. water bottles to 20 fl.oz. and larger bottles. Have a marker with you to label the bottles per location. These are water proof. When you get home just cut the top off and do whatever you plan on doing with the concentrates.

[fenixsmom]

That is an awesome idea!!!! Ill have to do that! My big ol butt can sit on my bucket!

[Coalbunny]

That is an awesome idea!!!! Ill have to do that! My big ol butt can sit on my bucket!

Heck, drag yer old man down there and have HIM pack the concentrates out!

[fenixsmom]

**sigh** if it ain't ice fishin' he ain't interested..... booger.....

[CP]

I think what I see is an inquiry about the legalities of prospecting. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Technically a 20 lb. bucket is casual use. No claim, Notice of Intent or Plan of Operations required. IIRC the limit is 50 lbs., though Dan (et.al.) will have to verify that for me. I don't remember what the time frame restriction is, however it generally means no use of motorized equipment. In some places the BLM gets really weird about it and they may say that includes the vehicle used to access the site.

I think the 20lb limitation was set by her doctor actually Carl.
You are correct about casual use (recreational classification) is not something associated with staking claims, NOI's or POO's.
Time frame restrictions are also another pesky recreational area thing. These must be kept seperate from anything discussing actual claim staking and ownership as there are no "time restrictions" for working ones own claims. Nor is it a "requirement" to stake/file claims, use the NOI's or file POO's unless a certain threshold is crossed legally in extractions. Staking your claim is a right....not a requirement!
Motorized restrictions......again, pesky recreational restritions. Claim owners will most certainly need to use motorized equipment in extractions.....remeber not to mix the two, claim ownership is the real deal!

[fenixsmom]

Ahh yes! Dan is absolutely correct. My 20 lbs limit is due to pregnancy. Baby doesn't like heavy lifting!

[Coalbunny]

Exactly Dan. I am aware of the 20 lb. limit being hers, and the 50 lb limit being the BLM.

I was talking with the BLM geologist out here and I told him of my plans, gave general locations, and he really was VERY helpful. And he made it clear that because of the general lack of information the public has or knows how to use, too many people are missing "the signs". So a casual use might be better for me.

[swizz]

.... and the 50 lb limit being the BLM.

The BLM has imposed a 50 lb limit?
on what?
You'll have to explain this one to me.

[russau]

yep ive never heard of any weight limits on cons! and of any transportation limits (motorized) getting to a claim!

[Coalbunny]

Not on the cons but for casual use. I have heard it time and time again, but never seen anything done about it.

[swizz]

I haven't seen any such regulation of "50lb bucket limit" for public owned lands that fall under the Mining Laws Of 1872. If you have a link that would be great. If you just "heard" it from a government employee or other, I would be very skeptical and request proof of that.
If you're just referring to some bucket rule from a Recreational Area or privately owned land other than NFS or BLM managed Public Owned land... any bucket rule can be applied, heck the land owner could even tell you what 'color' of bucket must be used for that matter. Sometimes BLM and USFS employees are contracted to enforce 'rules' (not mining laws) on privately owned lands such as Recreational Areas and Open Space designations. Perhaps that's what they were referring to?