SLNugget

Thanks everyone. I had a good day starting with breakfast at the Horseshoe Cafe in Wickenburg and a nice dinner at home and a home made chocolate birthday cake too.

Nice thread Chris. I like to see the exchange of information without contentious posts. I know about your meds issue Sunshine. Sorry for your issues and I hope you can get them resolved soon.

Happy Birthday Chris. Hope you are having fun.

Thanks Hoser. However my recent back surgery has slowed me down a good bit. I intended to add it helps to have a mentor to help you understand things and show you the Ropes. Gilaoro and Chrisski have been great helping me along the way. Also Barry at my land matters.

It takes a lot of study, work and boots on the ground to figure out the claim process as Chrisski and the others have posted. In the summer your day is shortened in the SW but if you start early and work until the heat is too much you can still get stuff done.

Lizzie had no ill effects from either of her shots. Sorry you had issues Joe.

You should also consider Snake Bite Vaccination for you pup in addition to the avoidance training. Not cheap though. I paid $100.00 per shot requires 2 of them.

Of course, there is some controversy surrounding this organization and their goals. Here is a link to one discussion thread: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/gold-prospecting/452576-counsel-s-mission-1-bring-together-all-groups-organizations.html

ICMJ's Prospecting and Mining JournalWe are proud to announce the formation of the Minerals and Mining Advisory Council (MMAC) and the re-establishing of Mining Districts...read more http://www.icmj.com/news-detail.php…

There are no commercially available "claims maps" that are accurate enough to legally determine the location of claims. The Gold Basin Footprints software is very good but is updated annually. It is a good starting point and along with County Recorder info, a good topo and LR2000 you can get current up to date data. You might also try Mylandmatters.org mining claim maps as a starting point.

1 - Depending on leg issues - Biscuits and or cornbread - Absolut

I'll play SD = BIGGER LSD = More

Barry, AZ claim question. If a claimant fails to file his paperwork or pay the maintenance fee on a claim and the case file is closed, is there anyway for that claimant to recover his claim without filing another location notice and paying the filing and maintenance fee again? Thanks for MyLandMatters. Very cool.

What is the sign of a dead coil on a GB Pro?

I have my tin foil hat

Nice for just a few buckets.

And thank you for your support and words of encouragement. Very helpful. Good that you are wired into Mr. Franks so tightly. Not everyone enjoys that relationship with their rep or even knows their rep's name. Do you not suppose the opposition is "harping" on him all the time? FMTT

OK even though this may be a rehash that is presented every year in Congress is it not wise for the small scale mining community to make their objections known to our representatives every time this issue or any other negative mining legislation comes up?

I will say if any of you do meet up with Ray for a hunt you better have your running shoes on!!! He does not waste time between spots.

Thank you Barry for clearing up those issues.

Chris, The Savings Clause is where it is stated the General Mining Laws are replaced by this bill. The General Mining Law is the 1872 Mining Law. The language is very ambiguous, but that is the way I read it. Also, this bill changes the definitions of several key terms/words. They talk about hardrock mining in one breath and then cite open pit mines as examples. The authors and researchers of this bill obviously did a poor job and relied on misinformation from the environmental organizations. Since when has mining ever been the highest and best use of public domain land? This is a bad shotgun attempt to change the mining law IMO.

Thank you sir!

H.R. 5060, "Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014" , To modify the requirements applicable to locatable minerals on public domain lands, consistent with the principles of self-initiation of mining claims, and for other purposes. This bill was introduced 07/10/2014 to repeal and replace the 1892 Mining Law. It has been sent to committee. The bill, if passed into law, will change mining as we now know it. This would be a good time to call, write or email your representatives to voice your opinions. Here is a link to contact your representative: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/US-Congress.shtml I recommend obtaining the contact info from the site and writing your own letter or email to your reps; Phone calls are good too. Just keep it polite and make your point(s) clear and concise. The is the letter that the organizations SUPPORTING this bill (and probably wrote it) are sending to OUR representatives: Earthworks wLeague of Conservation VoterswNatural Resources Defense CouncilwSierra Club wWestern Organization of Resource CouncilswThe Wilderness Society June 18th, 2014 Dear Member of Congress, On behalf of our millions of members from across the country, the undersigned organizations endorse the “Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014,” a bill that would correct the environmental and taxpayer inequities promoted by the outdated 1872 Mining Law. Although it is now 142 years old, the 1872 Mining Law still governs mining for precious minerals such as gold and copper on public lands. Signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant and designed to facilitate the settlement of the western United States, the 1872 Mining Law allows mining companies, many of which are foreign corporations, to stake claims on public land and take whatever minerals they find without royalties to the U.S. citizens that own these resources. The legacy of the 1872 Mining Law is pervasive, threatening the well being of our western communities, and the scarce drinking water upon which they depend. For example, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, hardrock mining has polluted 40 percent of the stream reaches of the West’s headwaters. Hardrock mining releases arsenic, mercury and lead into our communities’ air and waters. In fact, the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory has consistently shown that the hardrock industry releases more toxic chemicals into our air, land and water than any other industry in the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of hazardous abandoned mines around the country persist – which will cost U.S. taxpayers tens of billions of dollars to clean up. Not only does the 1872 Mining Law imperil drinking water supplies in the drought-ridden west, its cost to taxpayers is enormous. Since 1872, hardrock mining companies have taken more than $300 billion worth of minerals from public land, without paying a dime in royalties to taxpayers. It is the only extractive industry in the nation to receive such preferential treatment. The 1872 Mining Law also allows mining companies to buy, or “patent” public lands for $2.50 to $5.00 an acre, though there is a temporary moratorium on this practice. This price in no way reflects the fair market value of either the land surface or underlying mineral wealth. Furthermore, patenting enables mining companies to remove land from the public trust, which undermines the principle of multiple use that should apply to federal lands. The 1872 Mining Law places the interests of mining corporations above those of average U.S. citizens. Over the years, mining has threatened Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park and many other special places, but because of the 1872 Mining Law, land managers have been unable to deny these mine proposals. Even when a mine threatens sacred sites, important watersheds or sensitive habitat, the 1872 Mining Law trumps all of those other important values. We wish to make it clear that we are not opposed to all mines on public lands. Instead, we object to an outdated law that lacks any measures to protect water or other natural resources, ignores cleanup requirements, fails to provide a fair return to taxpayers and treats mining as the “highest and best use” of public lands. The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014 would resolve the drinking water pollution, fish and wildlife habitat degradation, and taxpayer inequities mentioned above. Specifically, the bill would: • Protect water resources and habitats by establishing strong environmental and cleanup standards specific to mining; • Provide a fair return to taxpayers, by providing for a reasonable 8% royalty on the value of the precious minerals mining companies take from public lands for new mines, 4% for current operations; • Defend local communities and special places from irresponsible mining, by giving land managers the ability to balance mining with other uses of the public’s lands; • Abolish the giveaway of public lands to private mining interests; and • Create an Abandoned Mine Land Fund to address the long-standing hazards of abandoned mines to drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, and the well being of local communities, requiring the industry to pay a reclamation fee while giving “Good Samaritans” limited liability relief when they participate in clean up efforts. The strong public participation, agency oversight and enforcement provisions of the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014 will translate into real improvements on the ground. This bill will ensure that any mining on public lands takes place in a manner that protects crucial drinking water supplies and other natural resources, special places, taxpayers, fish and wildlife habitat, and the health and well being of our communities. The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014 will also create jobs thousands of jobs for communities across the United States by funding muchneeded abanoned mine restoration projects. We strongly urge you join as a co-sponsor of this important legislation. It is well past time that Congress replaces this archaic law with one that protects western communities and resources, while also maintaining a healthy, responsible mining industry. Sincerely, Lauren Pagel Policy Director Earthworks Alex Taurel Deputy Legislative Director League of Conservation Voters Sharon Buccino Director, Land and Wildlife Program Natural Resources Defense Council Athan Manuel Director, Lands Protection Program Sierra Club Richard Parks Hard Rock Campaign Team Chair Western Organization of Resource Councils Chase Huntley Renewable Energy Director The Wilderness Society The support for this bill is huge among enviromental organizations and their members. The small miners community is in danger of extinction if this bill passes IMO. Take the time to contact your representatives. Do not think someone else with take care of this issue. Talk to the people within your sphere of influence and ask their support and participation to defeat this bill.

Yes and it is getting wider in some of those very rough spots. Some of the bedrock patches are like razors. I am almost afraid to mention to the county in fear they will just close it. Or try to.

The road really suffered from the rains this summer. I have always thought it to be very rough, but it's way worse now. I don't suppose the county or anyone ever grades it? Not sure grading is even possible with all the exposed bedrock in the roadway. There was definitely a lot of material moved while I was enoying the cool weather in WA. It is good to be back in AZ regardless of the road condition. Lizzie is not the only one who got fat and out of shape over the summer.