Hi Matt,
Unfortunately the GeoCommunicator database [
www.geocommunicator.gov] is not very accurate or reliable. There are several geographical areas where no information exists because it has not been input into the system, for one reason or another. You will find that some of the information is dated, or is rife with errors and omissions because it has not been input timely, accurately or correctly. Basically, its a helpful tool, but not a reliable tool for legal purposes - such as implying or obtaining permissions necessary to prospect.
The only reliable way to get accurate information on Mining Claims is to physically go to the County Recorders office for the County and State you are interested in, and also take a trip to the state office of the BLM. One must also be familiar with the situation on the ground, which in itself is a complex issue, and have a good working understanding of the law applying to the area of interest, et cetera ad nauseum.
An example of an important caveat is the 90 day time period between actual claim location and filing requirements, so often a valid active mining claim may exist on the ground and this status will not yet be reflected in the government accounting at the time of inquiry.
There are many areas in the database that have been encumbered by Acts of Congress that are over 20 years old and still not reflected in the database.
Also, the description by subdivision in the government database may not accurately reflect the actual area described on each individual Mining Claim Location Notice due to entry errors by employees at the BLM, giving a false impression that one quarter of a particular section of surveyed land is open to location under the General Mining Laws, while another quarter is encumbered by an active mining claim.
All of this is likely to be way too complex for the average hobbyist to comprehend, and the legal ramifications of trespass and theft can be severe, which is why a link to the GeoCommunicator database on mindat.org is of little usefulness to most of the users here. It may be helpful, in part, to a professional, but it will likely only confuse the neophyte.
I personally find Jolyon's disclaimer much simpler and straight forward than that of the government. It's really up to each individual user to do their own homework beforehand.
Mindat disclaimer:
This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.
The disclaimer on the GeoCommunicator site:
The graphical display of land and mineral parcels and mining claims are NOT a substitute for the official BLM record. Most of the cases from the BLM's National Integrated Land System and the BLM's Legacy Rehost LR2000 (LR2000) are displayed in GeoCommunicator, although not all. Therefore, there are land and mineral records and mining claims issued or recorded by the BLM and maintained in LR2000 and other systems that occur on the land but are not in GeoCommunicator and therefore do not show up on the map viewer. Please refer to the LR2000 reporting system (http://www.blm.gov/lr2000) for a complete list of land and mineral records and mining claims. Unpatented mining claims are generally 'nominally' recorded to the quarter section. The actual location of the mining claims is somewhere in the mapped area. See "What's New" and "About" under each section for more information.
Many of our map layers include data from other agencies including abandoned mines, surface management agency boundaries, USFS range allotments and regulated uses, Topo maps, imagery, lakes, rivers, streams, etc. The USDOI does not control the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of information provided by other agencies, and therefore, provides no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of furnished data. For additional information regarding abandoned mine activities, please contact the Land Management Agency responsible for the public lands where the mine is located.
The data on GeoCommunicator can be used for information, mapping, graphics, and planning purposes only. No warranty, expressed or implied, including accuracy, relevancy, timeliness, utility, or completeness of the data, maps, or information is made by the BLM. nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty for individual or aggregate data use with other data. The BLM shall not be held liable for improper use of the data described and/or contained herein. By using this data you hereby agree to these conditions. The BLM survey data is intended for mapping purposes only and is not a substitute for an official land survey. Please read the DOI disclaimer for more information.
Paperwork reduction and plain english in full effect!
Scott
