FOREWORD Mineral surveys are made to mark the legal boundaries of mineral deposits or ore-bearing formations on the public domain where the boundaries are determined by lines other than the normal subdivision of the public lands. These surveys include the usual surveying technical procedures and the examination and documentation of various reports and certificates necessary to substantiate legal procedures. Understanding the basis for performance of mineral surveys is imperative for the United States Mineral Surveyors as well as for those who are involved with processing mineral survey returns, those who evaluate claim validity, and for those cadastral surveyors who are involved in retracing original mineral surveys. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This _Guide_ was prepared by John V. Meldrum, U.S. Mineral Surveyor (ret.) under the direction of the Cadastral and Mapping Training Staff, Denver Service Center, Bureau of Land Management. Mr. Meldrum’s many years of expertise in mineral surveys, and his professionalism as a mineral surveyor are invaluable elements of its contents. In compiling the _Guide_, assistance was obtained from all of the State Offices of the BLM, and gratitude is expressed to those cadastral survey individuals who gave of their time and advice in assisting with its preparation. The contribution of the Cadastral Survey Staff of the California State Office is particularly acknowledged. CHAPTER I Mining Laws Mining Districts =1–1= When gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California in 1849 no provisions had been made by the Congress of the United States for the disposition of minerals on the public domain of the West. After a feeble attempt at leasing, the copper and iron deposits of the Great Lakes region as well as the lead deposits of Missouri were sold outright to the highest bidder with minimum prices set from $2.50 to $5.00 per acre. Consequently, the prospectors and miners of California formed mining districts to provide self-government and maintain law and order. These districts could be as small as a square mile, while others covered an area several townships in size. =1–2= The functions of a district were to provide rules governing the size of claims, manner of location and discovery requirements, recording of locations, work required to hold a claim and period of absence constituting abandonment. The miners were not without precedents in establishing their rules. In Europe the Germanic or Prussian laws provided for the discovery and location of mineral deposits with royalties going to the crown and the surface owner. The discoverer received a larger claim than subsequent locators. Periods of idleness without cause would open the ground to relocation. A court system was provided for the mining industry.