Usually, it will be advantageous to select a mineral surveyor close to the project, or one who has worked in the area and has a knowledge of existing surveys. All mineral surveyors are not equally experienced. Their appointment means that they have met certain qualifications and have satisfactorily demonstrated a knowledge of mineral survey procedures. More than one mineral surveyor should be consulted before making a selection. His proposed method of making the survey, his availability and time schedule, as well as fees should be discussed. Fees should be a secondary consideration and may be on a time and expense basis or a flat contract price. If a flat price is to be decided, the mineral surveyor will probably want to first make an examination of the property. In any event, the arrangement between the mineral surveyor and the claimant is a matter of private contract, and the Bureau of Land Management will not be responsible. Even after a survey has been started, the claimant may discharge a mineral surveyor and select another, but such action will call for an amended order for survey. =4–3= Selecting an Attorney: An attorney-at-law to act as agent for the claimant in the patent proceedings is not necessary; the claimant can make the application for patent himself. However, an attorney well-versed in mining law can be a big asset and arrangements should be made prior to the survey so that he will be available for consultation. The mineral surveyor will know of attorneys with whom he has previously worked and may be able to make recommendations. The attorney’s fee may be negotiated. If the claimant is a large corporation, it may have staff attorneys or landmen that can handle the patent application. The mineral surveyor may not assist in the patent proceedings. His help may be required in determining the net area of the claim from the area statement in the mineral surveyor’s field notes. There is no objection to the mineral surveyor interpreting his notes, and assisting in this regard. =4–4= Application for Survey: Must be made by claimant(s) or his agent on current Form 3860–5 (see appendix). Instructions are on the back of the form. 1. The name of the applicant (claimant) should be given exactly as it is to appear in the patent, together with his post office address. 2. Group name (if any). If the claims are known by a group name, it may be placed here. If they do not have a group name, it may be omitted. 3. Name(s) of claim(s) should appear exactly as they are given in the location certificate, e.g., Molly No. 1 should not be given as Molly #1. The date the claim was first located and recorded in the present chain of title must be given; the dates of amendment are only the last amendment made. 4. The location of the claims by section, township and range (stating that it is unsurveyed if based on protracted survey lines), county and state must be given. If not within a national forest, “None” should be used in the blank provided.