INFORMATION FROM THE U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

I.

Placer Claim Patent Process

Attachment IV

1. Claimant secures title to claim.

2. Claimant posts claim with a "notice of intention to apply for patent"

3.

for 60 days.

Claimant obtains an abstract of title to the claims.

4. Claimant applies for patent to Colorado State Office of BLM.

Paperwork includes (in duplicate):

a.

b.

C.

d.

e.

f.

g.

5.

6.

Proof of ownership

Basis for right to patent

1)

Valuable mineral deposit on each claim

2) At least $500 in improvements for each claim

Statement concerning U.S. citizenship

Statement concerning involvement with the atomic energy program Statements by two disinterested persons that the claim is placer ground

Statement by two disinterested persons that required improvements were made

$25 filing fee

BLM checks title to claim (30 days).

BLM authorizes publication of the "notice of application" in an area
newspaper.

7. Claimant publishes "notice of application" for 9 weeks (60 days).
8. Claimant mails proof of publication to BLM.

9.

10.

Claimant pays purchase price of $2.50 per acre.

BLM issues "Final Certificate of Mineral Entry" (30 days).

11. BLM assigns case to a mineral examiner.

12.

Mineral examiner examines claims for discovery and improvements (up to one year for large claim groups).

13. Mineral examiner writes mineral report (up to four months).

14.

Colorado State Office approves mineral report (30 days).

15. Claim is either clearlisted or contested.

a. If clearlisted, BLM issues patent (30 days).

b.

If contested, BLM issues complaint, schedules hearing, etc.
(interminable).

For a single placer claim with everything in order, patent could be issued in about one year. For larger claim groups, two years should be expected. If title difficulties, litigation, or politics intervene, the time will be indefinite.

1.

Full title to claims and surface plus all other minerals present.

4.

Existing oil and gas leases are maintained until expiration.

5.

6.

For future mineral leases, oil shale is the dominant estate.
Reasonable public access for hunting provided.

7.

Existing grazing use to continue until leases expire.

8.

Surface use for non-oil shale activities allowed after 20 years.

9. Water rights maintained by the federal government.