
How to Stake a Gold Claim 101 – Module 1: What is a Mining Claim?
A mining claim is your legal key to explore, work, and profit from gold-bearing ground on public lands in the United States. But what exactly is a mining claim? In this first video of our “How to Stake a Gold Claim 101” series, we break down the fundamentals.
A mining claim is not a deed to the land—it’s a declaration of your intent to extract valuable minerals, usually from federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the U.S. Forest Service. It protects your right to explore and extract as long as you follow the rules.
There are two major types of claims:
• Lode Claims: These cover hard rock gold and vein-based systems.
• Placer Claims: These are for gold in streambeds, washes, and sediment.
We’ll walk you through how these claims differ, who can legally stake them, and how the 1872 Mining Law still governs the system today.
In upcoming modules, you’ll learn:
• Where you’re allowed to stake a claim
• What tools and maps to use
• How to mark boundaries and record your discovery
• The cost, forms, and timelines for proper filing
If you’re looking to become a modern-day prospector with a legally protected claim—this is the series for you.
🔔 Be sure to subscribe and follow every module in our Claim-Staking 101 series to get expert-level advice, insider maps, and downloadable guides!
👇 DOWNLOAD the free .PDF takeaway below for Module 1.
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