Where can I stake a lode or placer claim in King County Washington?

Mining in Eastern King County, Washington State

⛏ Old King County WA Mining Districts (above)
King County "Cultural Resources Protection Project, Phase 3 Volume I (2017)"

"Few places in the world present a denser growth of vegetation than does the western slope of the Cascade Mountains. In many places it is a jungle which one can see but a few rods ahead of him.
Prospecting in such a country is done under the most adverse circumstances." 
- Henry Landes, WA State Geologist, 1898

I. KING COUNTY, Washington - Mining Rules


Check land ownership using the King County Assessor Parcel Viewer:

WA Mining claim(s) must be filed with a County auditor:
"All location notices, bonds, assignments and transfers of mining claims shall be recorded in the office of the county auditor of the county where the same is situated within thirty days after the execution thereof." -RCW 78.08.040

Nearly 37% of WA forest land is privately owned

Campbell Global (CG) and its subsidiaries (SNOQUALMIE TIMBER LLC / SNOQUALMIE FOREST LLC / TOKUL TIMBER LLC / TWIN PEAKS TIMBER LLC) own much of Snoqualmie forest lands (purchased from Weyerhaeuser et al). The North Fork Snoqualmie River County road out of North Bend is the primary access to the CG property. 
Campbell Global Snoqualmie Forest Property (above)

Permits for various activities are sold to the public: 
Campbell Global properties (above) 2025 - King County Parcel Viewer
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Tribes regained a significant amount of Snoqualmie forest as well.
Snoqualmie Land King County WA 2025 (above)
Snoqualmie Indian Tribe 
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Tulalip Tribes Land - King County 2025 (above)
Tulalip Tribes 
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II. FEDERAL - DOI Bureau of Land Management (BLM) & USDA Forest Service (FS) Mining Rules

⛏   19 states contain federally-administered lands where one may create a mining claim.

Active U.S. Mines, all States, 2022: 
489,100
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⚒  2025 Active Claims, WA:
1,832
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Active Claims, King County, WA
FEB 2025 (https://reports.blm.gov/reports/mlrs):
⛏ 34 
- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), under the Department of the Interior (https://www.doi.gov/) manages the surface of public BLM land https://www.blm.gov/


- The U.S. Forest Service (FS), under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), manages the surface of National Forest System land https://www.fs.usda.gov/ (online map see https://www.fs.usda.gov/ivm/)
Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest Map (above)

Federal / County / State Lands - King County
https://gismaps.kingcounty.gov/iMap/

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for the subsurface on both public and National Forest System land

👉🚮Gold panning is allowed✅ on BLM lands without special permits, unless expressly prohibited.

You may need permission to dig deeply or use hand tools in some areas; 
You must not leave disturbed dig sites.
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-🌊 "In-stream activities" = not generally regulated by BLM; 👉... If WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires written Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) instead of the free WDFW "Gold and Fish" pamphlet for mining activity ... or ... if you conduct "highbanking" operations (above ordinary high water line), BLM requires a Notice of Intent or Plan of Operations.

See: BLM information packet on how to place a mining claim or site on public land.
(Download BLM Mining Claim Packet 2022)
https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2022-08/orwa-mining-claim-packet.pdf
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💎💎💎

Rock Collecting / Rock Hounding & Mineral Collecting on Federal Land (BLM / FS) & WA STATE Lands

Recreational rock hounding is:
- Collection of small amounts of common minerals / stones (quartz, agate, obsidian) for noncommercial use.
- Recreational gold panning or use of detectors for gold nuggets / other metals.

- U.S. Forest Service (FS):
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r3/recreation/regulations/?cid=fsbdev3_022266
👍 FS Allows recreational rock hounding on most National Forest lands.
⛔No digging with hand tools or machines allowed
FS limits amounts of material removed to 10 pounds total. 
No Permit Required if collecting samples on the surface
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- Bureau of Land Management (BLM):
👍 BLM Allows a limit for personal use of minerals, semi-precious gemstones, and other rocks, to 25 pounds daily (yearly limit 250lbs) 
✅Gold panning is allowed on BLM lands without special permits, unless prohibited.
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- Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WA DNR):
👍 WA DNR Allows gathering of rocks / minerals on 🌲State Trust lands without a permit.(https://www.dnr.wa.gov/rockhounding)
👎🚫Gold panning is not allowed on 🌲WA State Trust lands
👍✅ Gold Panning is allowed on WA 🌊State-owned Aquatic lands; requires FREE permit, ("Gold and Fish" (WDFW) Pamphlet)

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💎Mineral Collecting Resources
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🌎 

The BLM Mineral & Land Records System (MLRS) - online platform for mineral & land records
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BLM MLRS Map sample 2025 (above)
"Active Claims" Layer
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Search BLM MLRS reports data for more mining claim information
(above) Sample MLRS report https://reports.blm.gov/reports/MLRS/


Question: Is it possible to determine the exact location of a claim using BLM MLRS?
Answer: No! The exact location... of any claim ... can be found by locating claim markers on the ground


see also:
BLM General Land Office (GLO) Records:
Historical Data
https://glorecords.blm.gov/
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BLM OR/WA has most existing 🌄Land Status and Cadastral Survey Records:
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(MISC. FEDERAL)
Requirements for reclamation and bonding for mineral operations on National Forest System lands. https://www.fs.usda.gov/geology/bond_guide_042004.pdf
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement https://www.osmre.gov/
U.S. Army Core of Engineers (Seattle District) https://www.nws.usace.army.mil/
U.S. Geological Survey https://www.usgs.gov/
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service https://www.fws.gov/

III. STATE - Washington State Mining Rules

Section of WA DNR map (above)
East King County / I-90 with legends

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages:

    1.🌊 State-owned Aquatic land; Lands beneath navigable waters of the entire state!
👍 ✅🚮Gold panning is allowed on WA State-owned Aquatic lands.(Free Permit required; Rock collecting is allowed without a permit)

    2. 🌲 State Trust land; Granted trust lands which provide revenue activities, including leasing for mining and timber.
👎🚫 🚮Gold panning is not allowed on WA State Trust lands. Rock collecting is allowed.

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🌊WA STATE-OWNED AQUATIC LANDS✅

👍🚮Gold Panning is allowed on WA State-owned Aquatic lands
✅Operate in approved areas at the assigned dates each year. (see: WAC 220-660-300).
👉Required: Copy of FREE Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permit from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) under the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/environmental/hpa/types/prospecting

📃Every WA prospector MUST possess a FREE copy of the WDFW pamphlet:
"Gold and Fish: Rules for Mineral Prospecting and Placer Mining"
- ✅FREE pamphlet serves as the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permit for mineral prospecting / mining activities
- Shows classes of different streams / seasonal restrictions to certain activities on various streams or typed waters. 
- In salmonid habitat areas, non-motorized mining activities, such as 🚮 gold panning, are the only form of mining allowed. (https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Mineral-prospecting-and-placer-mining) 

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🌲WA STATE TRUST LANDS⛔

👎🚫🚮Gold panning and Mining are NOT allowed on WA State Trust lands. 
Please do not trespass off trail or disturb any stream habitats! Rock hounding is okay, with restrictions!
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**✋🚮Beach prospecting/gold panning is allowed year-round in the Seashore Conservation Area.
(see also: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission https://parks.wa.gov)

📑The Washington Discover Pass is required at state operated sites (administered by Washington State Parks, Department of Natural Resources lands and Department of Fish & Wildlife) https://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/

⛔⛏ You can not place or operate a mining claim on WA State lands without a WA DNR contract/permit!

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

WAC 220-660-300
Mineral prospecting. (EDITED)
(1) Description: Mineral prospecting projects excavate, process, or classify aggregate using hand-held mineral prospecting tools and mineral prospecting equipment. The rules in this section apply to the use of pans ...
(5) Mineral prospecting in fresh waters with timing restrictions:
(a) A person may mineral prospect in fresh waters of the state only during the times identified in subsection (7) of this section. A person must have the Gold and Fish pamphlet on the job site and comply with the provisions listed below.
(b) When mineral prospecting with timing restrictions, a person may use only nonmotorized hand-held mineral prospecting tools and the following mineral prospecting equipment:
(i) Pans; (see full text WAC 220-660-300 for more)
(f) A person may work within the wetted perimeter or frequent scour zone only from one-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset. ...
(h) A person must not disturb existing fish habitat improvement structures or stream channel improvements.
(l) A person must fill all excavation sites and level all tailing piles before moving to another excavation site or abandoning an excavation site.
(m) A person may not excavate, collect, or remove aggregate from the toe of the slope. A person also may not excavate, collect, or remove aggregate from an unstable slope or any slope that delivers, or might deliver, sediment to the wetted perimeter or frequent scour zone. See Figures 5 and 6
Figure 5 (above): Cross section showing permitted or prohibited excavation sites. Dashed line indicates areas where excavation is not permitted.

Figure 6 (above): Permitted and prohibited excavation sites. Dashed lines indicates areas where excavation is not permitted.
(n) A person may partially divert a body of water into mineral prospecting equipment. A person may not divert the body of water outside of the wetted perimeter.
(p) A person may process aggregate collected from the frequent scour zone:
(q) A person may process aggregate collected from upland areas landward of the frequent scour zone:
(r) A person must avoid areas containing live freshwater mussels.
(s) A person may not disturb redds (“redds” refers to spawning bed in a river or stream). 
(t) If at any time, as a result of project activities, a person observes a fish kill or fish life in distress, a person must immediately stop operations and notify the department and the Washington military department emergency management division (1-800-258-5990) of the problem. 

(7)⏰Authorized work times by specific state waters for mineral prospecting and placer mining projects:

(a) A person may conduct mineral prospecting and placer mining under subsections (5) and (6) of this section only in the state waters and during the times specified in the following table of authorized work times.
(b) The general work time for a county applies to all state waters within that county unless otherwise indicated in the table.
(c) The work time for state waters identified in the table of authorized work times applies to all its tributaries, unless otherwise indicated. ...
(d) Where a tributary is identified as a boundary, that boundary is the line perpendicular to the receiving stream that is projected from the most upstream point of the tributary mouth to the opposite bank of the receiving stream. See Figure 8.

Figure 8 (above): Where the boundary is located if a tributary listed as a boundary.

Table 1
Authorized Work Times by Specific State Waters for Mineral Prospecting and Placer Mining Projects
King County, if not named below: 
July 16 - September 30✅

Lake Washington tributaries   
August 1 - August 31

Bear Creek   July 16 - February 28
Coney Creek   July 16 - Feb 28
Denny Creek   July 16 - Feb 28
Deep Creek   July 16 - Feb 28
Goat Creek    July 16 - Feb 28
Greenwater River         July 16 - August 15
Issaquah Creek   August 1 - 31
Illinois Creek   July 16 - Feb 28
Kimball Creek  August 1 - 31
Lennox Creek   July 16 - Feb 28
Patterson Creek   July 16 - September 30
Raging River    August 1 - September 15
Sammamish River    August 1 -  31
Steele Creek    July 16 - Feb 28
Yellow Creek         July 16 - Feb 28
White River         July 16 - August 15

Beckler River - Mouth to Boulder Creek    August 1 - 15
Beckler River - Upstream of Boulder Creek    July 16 - Feb 28
Cedar River - Mouth to Forks    August 1 - 31
Cedar River - Upstream of Forks    August 1 - 31
Foss River -Mouth to Forks    July 16 - August 31
East Fork Foss River- Mouth to Burn Creek    July 16 - August 15
East Fork Foss River - Upstream of Burn Creek    July 16 - Feb 28
West Fork Foss River - Mouth to falls at river mile 2.0    July 16 - August 31
West Fork Foss River - Upstream of falls at river mile 2.0    July 16 - Feb 28
West Fork Miller River   July 16 - Feb 28
Green (Duwamish) River - Mouth to Sawmill Creek    August 1 - 31
Green (Duwamish) River - Upstream Sawmill Creek    August 1 - 31
Index Creek - Mouth to Mud Lake Creek    August 1 - 31
Index Creek - Upstream Mud Lake Creek incl. Salmon Creek    July 16 - Feb 28
Money Creek- Mouth to 0.5 mile upstream Kimball Creek    August 1 - 31
Money Creek - Upstream of 0.5 mile upstream Kimball Creek    August 1 - Feb 28
Miller River - Mouth to Forks    August 1 - 15
Miller River - Upstream of Forks    August 1 - 15
East Fork Miller River - Mouth to Great Falls Creek    July 16 - August 15
East Fork Miller River - Upstream of Great Falls Creek    July 16 - Feb 28
Rapid River - Mouth to Meadow Creek    August 1 - 31
Rapid River - Upstream of Meadow Creek    August 1 - Feb 28
South Fork Skykomish River - Mouth to Sunset Falls    August 1 - 15
South Fork Skykomish River - Upstream of Sunset Falls    August 1 - 15
Snoqualmie River - Mouth to Snoqualmie Falls     August 1 - 15
Snoqualmie River - Snoqualmie Falls to mouth of South Fork    July 16 - Feb 28
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River - Mouth to Taylor Creek       July 16 - Feb 28
Middle Fork Snoqualmie River - Upstream of Taylor Creek     July 16 - Feb 28
North Fork Snoqualmie River - Mouth to Lennox Creek      July 16 - Feb 28
North Fork Snoqualmie River - Upstream of Lennox Creek        July 16 - Feb 28
South Fork Snoqualmie River    July 16 - Feb 28
Tolt River - Mouth to Forks    August 1 - 31
North Fork Tolt River - Mouth to Yellow Creek    July 16 - September 15
North Fork Tolt River - Upstream Yellow Creek    July 16 - Feb 28
South Fork Tolt River - Mouth to dam    July 16 - September 15
South Fork Tolt River - Upstream Tolt Reservoir    July 16 - Feb 28
Tye River - Mouth to Alpine Falls    August 1 - 31
Tye River - Upstream of Alpine Falls    July 16 - Feb 28
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WA DNR manages natural areas to conserve / restore special state-managed lands:
- Natural Area Preserves 
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/managed-lands/natural-areas/natural-area-preserves
- Natural Resources Conservation Areas
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/managed-lands/natural-areas/natural-resources-conservation-areas

SNOQUALMIE CORRIDOR HUNTING April 2019 - March 2020 Season
see also:
Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation 
https://www.dahp.wa.gov

WA DNR publications on gold in Washington
Inventory of Washington minerals; Part II--Metallic minerals - 1956, (links) Foreword, Volume 1, Part 2, Volume 1, Part 3, Volume 1, Part 4, Volume 2, Maps
Gold in Washington - 1953
Handbook for gold prospectors in Washington -1975
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/ger_ic57_handbook_gold_prospectors.pdf
Placer gold mining in Washington - 1979, Open File Report 79-0,
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/ger_ofr79-0_placer_gold_mining.pdf
Nickel - gold ore of the Mackinaw mine, Snohomish County, Washington - 1959


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Types of
Mining Claims

Lode Claims -
    Deposits subject to lode claims include classic veins or lodes having well-defined boundaries. They also include other rock in- place bearing valuable minerals and may be broad zones of mineralized rock. 

Placer Claims -
    Placer claims are defined as "...including all forms of deposit, excepting veins of quartz, or other rock in-place." In other words every deposit, not located with a lode claim, should be appropriated by a placer location. Corporations may not locate association placer claims unless they are in association with other locators or corporations as co-locators.


Bench and Gulch Placer Claims
    A bench placer claim is a placer mining claim located on terraces or former floodplains made of gravel or sediment, or both, on the valley wall or slope above the current riverbed and created when the river previously was at a higher topographic level than now.
    A gulch placer claim is a placer claim located on the bed of a river contained within steep, nonmineral canyon walls.

Association Placer Mining Claims
    Placer mining claims exceeding the 20-acre per person/entity limit are considered association placer mining claims. 

Mill Sites
    A mill site may be located on non-mineral land that is not contiguous to vein or lode and is used for activities related to mineral development or for independent milling or reduction.

Tunnel Sites
    A tunnel site may be located as a subsurface right-of-way used to access a lode claim or for the exploration of undiscovered lodes.

Steps to stake a legal mining claim

One may stake a lode claim / placer claim in Washington on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
https://www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/mining-and-minerals/locatable-minerals/mining-claims/locating-a-claim

1. Have authorization to prospect on any property you plan to claim.
- Check Bureau of Land Management (BLM) records for prior claims (https://www.blm.gov/services/land-records/mlrs)
- Check the ground for prior claim markings
- Check all City, County, and State laws regarding mining and prospecting. (RCW 78.08.100)

2. Make discovery of valuable minerals!

3. Post conspicuous monuments, such as stone mounds or metal posts or pipes (with top caps; open ended pipe not preferred by BLM), and post a proper location notice.



4. Record the location notice on Bureau of Land Management (BLM)  Mineral & Land Records System (MLRS) (https://mlrs.blm.gov/) GPS coordinates for each corner of your mining claim may be included with the metes and bounds description. The corner coordinates can be entered in MLRS to plot the exact claim boundaries. 
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ACTIVE / INACTIVE MINES - KING COUNTY, WA


ACTIVE
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Minerals at the Spruce Claim include late sedimentary precipitation of barite, and carbonate minerals such as ankerite, and museum quality quartz and pyrite specimens.
    Claims filed by Bear Creek Mining in the 1950's, part of 170 claims held for exploration of a large, deep-seated Cu porphyry. 

Spruce Claim Mineral Survey 1990

Land Patent 2001
Patented 2001, land mineral rights are held by Spruce Collectors, LLC, a membership organization that provides collecting for members (https://www.washingtonminerals.com/sr.htm)

Related Claims:
SPRUCE 14 - LODE CLAIM Date of Location: 09/15/2024 OR106392707 KRB EXPLORATION LLC 21985 BUTTE RANCH RD BEND, OR 97702 Date Filed: 10/02/2024  33 0230N 0110E 002
MFLZ - MILL SITE Date of Location: 06/22/2023 OR106301980 Date Filed: 07/02/2023  33 0230N 0110E 002 SE, MULT 33 0230N 0110E 020 NESE, NWSE, SESE, SWSE
'P L LODE' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | KRB EXPLORATION LLC 21985 BUTTE RANCH RD BEND, OR 97702 | located 2016 | CLOSED ORMC172976 NEW OR105761460 Disposition: ACTIVE 02/06/24  0230N 0110E 002
'PEGASUS' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Krb Exploration LLC et al. | 2019 | ORMC176854 NEW OR101716515 0230N 0110E 011
Crystal Haven Mill Site Acres: 3.673 Case Disposition: ACTIVE Disposition Date: 02/06/24 OR105761461 
'CRYSTAL HAVEN MS' | 5 acre Millsite Claim in King, Wash. | Robert C. Jackson | located 2016 | ORMC172977  Disposition: CLOSED11/17/21 CLAIM ABANDONED/FORFEITED ACCEPTED 02/20/2024 DECISION ISSUED ACCEPTED No 2021 AY Payment or Waiver

Run by Bob Jackson (pictured below). 
Bob Jackson https://www.mindat.org/user-274.html

Bob working with Mine Rat Minerals https://www.mineratminerals.com/

"25 shares created in 2008 ... 8 still available, priced $13,000 each.  https://www.mindat.org/mesg-73546.html

Private specimen mining with ownership on a share basis is fairly common, a couple other well-known ones are Bonanza mine (opal, Nevada) - website https://www.bonanzaopals.com/



Search BLM database for accurate info:

OR105785439 Sahalie Ridge - Lode Claim Acres: 20.66 2022 RECORDATION NOTICE RECD  0220N 0100E 024
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OR105249834 Hansen # 1 - Lode Claim Acres: 20.66 
OR105249835 Hansen # 2 - Lode Claim Acres: 10 T022N R010E SEC 22 NWNW 2021
OR105249836 Hansen # 3 - Lode Claim Acres: 20.66  0220N 0100E 014 2021
08/19/2024 TRANSFER OF INTEREST  ACCEPTED BAILEY TO ERIC HE 10% AND FIULIANI 30% 04/08/2024 TRANSFER OF INTEREST ACCEPTED M. Bailey to A. Gemmato-Duell and R. Johnston 
SOUTH OF I-90 before Snoqualmie Pass, Hansen 3 located across State park land.
Segregated Minerals - East King County with Active Claims | BLM MLRS 2025
T22N R10E sections 22 23 26 27 (above), with Withdrawal/Segregation/Right of Way / Claims | East King County WA | BLM MLRS 2025
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APEX Lead File OR106333435
Case Type : LODE CLAIM Name: APEX # 6 B Serial Number OR106333436  Total Acres 20.66  Date of Location: 09/02/2023  Date Filed: 11/17/2023 Case Disposition: FILED Disposition Date: 11/22/23 | 08/12/2024 483 SMALL MINER CERT FILED ACCEPTED 2025 MF Waiver  33 0260N 0100E 034
APEX # 5 B Date of Location: 09/02/2023 Date Filed: 11/17/2023 Case Disposition: FILED 33 0260N 0100E 034
Case Type : LODE CLAIM Claim Name: APEX #7 Date of Location: 09/02/2023  33 0260N 0100E 033
(PREVIOUS REPORTS: 'APEX 1' - 'APEX #11' | 21 acre Lode Claims in King, Wash. | Mark Wagner | 2018 | ORMC176273 Disposition: CLOSED  10/05/23 OR101871607 Too many mines? "Claimant must own 10 or fewer non-closed claims/sites")
Cascade Town Range Map (East King County Section)

Denny Mountain -  OR105226479 Lode Claim Acres: 20.66 02/11/2021 RECORDATION NOTICE RECD Case Disposition: ACTIVE 33 0240N 0110E 036 SE
Big Chief BLM - OR105823728  Lode Claim Acres: 20.66  03/14/2023  RECORDATION NOTICE RECD 07/19/2024 TRANSFER OF INTEREST FILED ACCEPTED Mike Yaeger MJ YAEGER QCD 25% TO T. R. STENDER IN COUNTY ON 08/11/2023 33 0240N 0110E 036 SE
Robot Parade #2 OR105816534 -  Placer Claim Acres: 40  01/30/2023 RECORDATION NOTICE RECD  33 0230N 0110E 009 NW
Katie Belle Ridge - OR105226480  LODE CLAIM  Acres: 20.66  1/15/2021 0230N 0110E 011 SE LEAD FILE OR105226479 02/11/2021 RECORDATION NOTICE 12/30/2024 
TRANSFER OF INTEREST FILED ACCEPTED - adding James Cerenzie to claim JWC 28224 201ST AVE SE, KENT WA 98042

'BELLE OF TENNESSEE' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Daniel L. Mumm | 1998 | ORMC153992 NEW OR101481330 0250N 0100E 007
'BLACKHAWK #3' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Daniel L. Mumm 4622 S K ST, TACOMA WA 98408| 1973 | ORMC29046 0250N 0100E 005
'BLACKHAWK #5' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Daniel L. Mumm | 2000 | ORMC155294 NEW OR101575981 0250N 0100E 005
'CHEROKEE' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Daniel L. Mumm | 2000 | | OR101575982 0250N 0100E 006 SE
'MONTE CARLO #5' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Daniel L. Mumm | 2000 | OR101577148 0250N 0100E 004
'SPOTTED OWL #2' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Daniel L. Mumm | 2000 | OR101577149 0250N 0100E 005
'SPOTTED OWL #3' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Daniel L. Mumm |  2000 | OR101577150 0250N 0100E 005
'SPOTTED OWL #4' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Daniel L. Mumm | 2000 | OR101577151 0250N 0100E 006
'MONTE CARLO #3' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Larry C. Oren | 2010 | OR101470485 0250N 0100E 004
'MONTE CARLO #10' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Larry C. Oren | 2010 | OR101470486 0250N 0100E 004
'MCCLAIN MYSTERY' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Larry C. Oren | 2010 |  OR101470483 0250N 0100E 005
'MCCLAIN MYSTERY #2' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Larry C. Oren | 2010 | ORMC165733 OR101470484
'DAGGETT' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Larry C. Oren 28902 STATE ROUTE 706 E, ASHFORD WA 98304 | 2010 | ORMC165731 LEAD FILE OR101470482 0250N 0100E 004
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'CASCADE #6' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Douglas R. Henderson 3212 NW 56TH ST, SEATTLE WA 98107 | 2012 | OR101747792 0230N 0110E 011
'CASCADE #9' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Jeffrey M. Schwartz | 1962 | OR101481538 0230N 0110E 011 SE 
'CLIPPER VIEW' | 11 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Jeffrey M. Schwartz | 2014 | OR101488129 0230N 0110E 001
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'NELLIE' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Richard Dillhoff et al. | 1951 | OR101431170 0240N 0120E 034
'PURPLE HOPE #2' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Richard Dillhoff 1307 212TH AVE NE, SAMMAMISH WA 98074 | located in 1981 | OR101434437 0240N 0110E 029
'PURPLE HOPE #4' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Joseph P. George et al. | 1981 | OR101370352 0240N 0110E 030
'PURPLE HOPE MILLSITE' | 5 acre Millsite Claim King, Wash. | Joseph P. George et al. | 2015 | ORMC172153 OR101565772 0240N 0100E 036
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'PUFFBALL QUARTZ' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Jamey T. Hilton et al. (JAMEY F 1403 N STEELE ST, TACOMA WA 98406?) | 2011 | OR105770578 0230N 0110E 002
'PUFFBALL' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Michael Yaeger 2500 ALDER ST # 218, MILTON WA 98354  | 2020 | OR102155196 0230N 0110E 002
'Puffball Millsite' OR105261278  Case Acres: 2.066 0230N 0110E 011 8/12/2021
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'CRYSTAL PARK 2' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Emmett Soffey et al. 411 158TH PL SE, BELLEVUE WA 98008 | 2008 | OR101378041 0230N 0110E 010
'HEMLOCK' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Zoe Marcketti 22101 NE BASKET FLAT RD, BATTLE GROUND WA 98604 | 2011 | OR101342241 0230N 0110E 011
'SHANGRI LA' | 21 acre Lode Claim King, Wash. | Tanya M. Pluth et al. | 2014 | OR101844240 0230N 0110E 011
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'MONEY' | 20 acre Placer Claim King, Wash. | Christopher Schell et al. | 2017 | OR101650079  0260N 0110E 029



Washington's most valuable mineral resources are sand and gravel, which are produced in nearly all of the state's 39 counties. Gold is produced in the northeast corner of the state.

Major Mining Corporations in Washington

Norfolk Iron & Metal: A major carbon steel provider in the United States 
Major Drilling: A global company that provides drilling services for the mining industry 
Kinross Gold: One of the world's top 10 gold miners 
The Mosaic Company: A leading producer and marketer of concentrated phosphate and potash 
CRH: Makes / distributes building materials
Rio Tinto: A global mining and materials company that produces iron ore, copper, aluminum, and critical minerals 

⚒ WA State Mining Claim Holders - Groups (2/27/2025)

ECHO BAY EXPLORATION INC 
Claim Name: 'EJ 1' OR105832333 0360N 0320E 012 2/16/2023
All known precious metal production in Washington in 1996 was by Echo Bay Minerals Co. at their Kettle River Project. Became a subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation in 2003.
https://www.kinross.com/home/default.aspx Cleanup Site Name: Kinross Gold Company Kettle River Operations KEY PROJECT, Kinross Key Project LOCATION Address: 363 FISH HATCHERY RD City: REPUBLIC Zip Code: 99166 County: Ferry TRS: 37N 33E 9 Status: Awaiting Cleanup; Metals Priority Pollutants

ADAMERA MINERALS LLC
https://adamera.com/
Adamera Minerals Corp (TSX.V - ADZ) is a junior exploration company exploring for high-grade gold deposits
'BM 99' OR101896566 0400N 0310E 018 NE OKANOGAN WA 6/12/2020

GRE INC https://goldrushexpeditions.com/inventory-2/ 'NEVADA' 1 OR105269926 0350N 0250E 030  9/1/2021
Key Principal: COREY SHUMAN

COPPER MOUNTAIN MINING LLC
Filing Status: Active Date Filed: 03/19/2021
Law Offices of David A. Hornbeck NV, CA & Federal Former Deputy Attorney General for the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES LAW - 36 Stewart Street Reno, NV 89501 
 Claim Name: 'CMM 75' 6/1/2021 OR105249932 0040N 0050E 034 NW | LEAD FILE 133 Claims OR105249871 

HECLA MINING CO | HECLA LIMITED
https://www.hecla.com/
Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) largest primary silver producer in the United States.
ANNYHOO #5 OR105761177 0370N 0320E 026 NENE NE FERRY WA 3/2/2022

 
TECK COMINCO WASHINGTON CORP / TECK AMERICAN INCORPORATED
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teck_Resources
'D M MANN #52' OR101431391 0400N 0430E 035 NE PEND OREILLE WA location 7/4/1995
Teck Resources Limited, known as Teck Cominco until late 2008, diversified natural resources company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, engaged in mining and mineral development, including coal for the steelmaking industry, copper, zinc, and energy. Secondary products include lead, silver, gold, molybdenum, germanium, indium and cadmium. Teck Resources was formed from the amalgamation of Teck and Cominco in 2001.

*North American Miners Association WA https://www.namaminers.org/about
Mining claims: Owned by NAMA or available thru mutual mining agreement.
Washington: 180 acres Chelan County, 120 acres (Forest Service Road 8213) - claims not verified
- BOEING EMPLOYEES EVERETT PROSPECTING SOCIETY INC
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/a-wealth-of-people-hunting-for-gold-in-snohomish-county/
'KIMBERLY ANN' OR101482449 33 0220N 0170E 001 NW CHELAN WA 5/29/1991
- BEDROCK PROSPECTORS CLUB INC
https://bedrockprospectors.com/
'MT POCKETS' OR101867541 33 0220N 0170E 014 SE CHELAN WA 4/5/2014
- YAKIMA PROSPECTORS ASSOCIATION
https://yakimaprospectors.com/
'YPA #4' OR101433542 0180N 0140E 030 NW KITTITAS, YAKIMA WA 11/28/1994
- GOLD PROSPECTORS ASSOC
https://www.goldprospectors.org/
'YELLOW JACKE CREEK' OR101434198 0110N 0080E 020 SE LEWIS WA 9/6/1996
- WASHINGTON PROSPECTORS MINING ASSOCIATION
https://washingtonprospectors.org/
'WA PROSPECTORS #1' OR101480590 0220N 0170E 014 SE CHELAN WA 4/18/1988
- North American Prospectors Association
https://www.napagold.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/n.a.p.a.goldminers/
'CRAZY 8 A' OR101359018 0110N 0080E 021 LEWIS WA 2/15/2013 
- NORTH CENTRAL CASCADE MINERS ASSOCIATION
https://nccmalibertygold.org/
'SHOOTZ' OR101769133  0230N 0170E 036 SW CHELAN WA 9/12/2019
- NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON PROSPECTORS
https://www.northcentralwashingtonprospectors.org/
'BANJO' OR101851606 33 0220N 0170E 012 SW CHELAN WA 6/25/2006

CORPORATIONS

- JADEX CORP Incorporated by the Jade Leader Corp on July 7, 2017, in Washington State,
USA, to conduct its exploration and development business in the United States. Purchased DJ Jade project 18 Lode Claims.
OR101848716 0310N 0100E 008 SW 10/22/2015
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The Dan Fer Investment Corporation, now Mt. St. Helens Consolidated Mining Company
Claim Name: COPPER POT #3 OR101484063 0100N 0050E 013 SKAMANIA WA 1/21/1981
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Globex Nevada, Inc. is the holder of Globex's U.S. exploration properties.
https://globexmining.com/subsidiaries-2/
Claim Name: COMSTOCK #9 FERRY WA 2/21/1984 OR101482100 0400N 0340E 017 NW  
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Aaron Mining LLC
https://www.aaronmining.com/
CLAIM 4 OR101789282 340N 0080E 021 SW SKAGIT WA 5/2/2018
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Metaline Contact Mns
Corporation based in Pine River, Wisconsin
Royalty-based mineral resources company, engages in acquisition and leasing of mineral resource properties
'CHAMPION' OR1014843800 400N 0430E 010 NE PEND OREILLE WA 10/26/1926
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Minquest Ltd.
http://minquestltd.com/
corporation claimant based in Reno, Nevada
'CAROL' #6 OR101658987 0400N 0340E 013 NE FERRY WA 11/18/2003
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FIRESIDE USA, LLC
Fireside Holdings sources and invests in primarily asset-backed, high-growth opportunities.
'BROKER'S' BEST 7 0390N 0390E 009 NE STEVENS WA 4/11/2005
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StarTronix International Inc
27171 BURBANK RD, Lake Forest, California 92610
Company size: 2-10 employees ; Headquarters: Lake Forest, California
'BRIMSTONE' #2 OR101430455 0400N 0340E 007 SE FERRY WA 7/1/1926
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METALS SEARCH LLC
https://www.metalssearchllc.com/
'ZAM 13' OR101825701 0360N 0200E 019 NE OKANOGAN WA 11/28/1999
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MRJ RESOURCES LLC
Mrj Resources LLC is a corporation claimant based in Chewelah, Washington
'VICTOR' OR101528070 0290N 0370E 001 SW  STEVENS WA 11/1/2012
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ALLEGHENY EXPLORATION LLC
Allegheny Exploration LLC (AEX) owns overriding royalty interests in the developed Marcellus Shale
'TRACKER 05' OR101509708 0370N 0330E 032 NE  FERRY WA 4/13/2012
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SCHEE-RANIUM MINE INC
Schee-Ranium Mine Inc. is a corporation claimant based in Loomis, Washington
'LITTLE JOE' OR101519901 33 0400N 0250E 023 NW OKANOGAN WA 7/17/2007
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VESPER RESOURCES LLC
'SUNRISE EAST' OR101732661 0290N 0100E 010 SW SNOHOMISH WA 6/19/2017
NexGen Mining signed a mining lease and option-to-buy agreement for 200 acres in the Cascades from Vesper Resources LLC. NexGen is based in Reno, Nevada. https://plancenter.djc.com/news/bu/12111997.html
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BULL TROUT JADE LLC
Bull Trout Jade, registered trade name, Washington Jade
https://www.washingtonjade.com/About.html
Rodney C Cook, Ph.D.  Member Manager. Bull Trout Capital LLC Vermillion Metals LLC.
Nathaniel Cook.  President. 
'SLEEPER MINING' OR101740406 0330N 0080E 036 NE SKAGIT WA 9/18/2015

- KRB EXPLORATION LLC (see Spruce Collectors LLC)

- LEO R MOORE MINES 16334 S. BRADLEY RD OREGON CITY OREGON 97045 (T5N R7E SEC 9) 
'LODE STAR 1' OR101518723 OR101518723 33 0050N 0070E 008 NE SKAMANIA WA 9/4/2007


- OTOCO WY LLC - THE OKANOGAN PUBLIC MINT RESERVE - SERIES 107 (see OTOCO WY LLC - Art Attainment - Series 220, responsible for the sale of NFTs; OTOCO WY LLC - AQ Ventures - Series 62 OTOCO WY LLC - Project Groyper Series 344) Otonomos LLC, 30 N Gould St Ste R, Sheridan, Wyoming 82801
MONTANA OR101476781  33 0360N 0200E 016 SE  OKANOGAN WA 4/10/2016

'IMERYS #27' OR101825879 33 0270N 0150E 015 NE CHELAN WA 6/29/2000

'HERITAGE 54' OR101359889 33 0330N 0410E 033 NW STEVENS WA 4/23/2014

- GRP GOLDEN EAGLE LLC https://gegroupuae.com/ Al Messaned, Sharjah, UAE
'GEH 1' OR101622713 33 0370N 0320E 028 NE FERRY WA 2/24/2009

- MCFARLAND ASSOCIATES LLC 
Doug McFarland - Exploration Geologist at McFarland Associates, LLC East Wenatchee, Washington
Prior Consulting Geologist/Geophysicist - West Coast Resource Associates, LLC
'EXC 5155' OR101716431 33 0390N 0080E 006 NE WHATCOM WA 4/5/2019

INACTIVE King County Mines / Claims ⛏

⚒ Total Number of Closed Mines in King County, WA (FEB 2025 BLM Data): 
= 906



33 - 0220N 0100E/0090E Claims (CLOSED):

Meridian Township Range:
33 0220N 0100E
 
008 NE OR103382280 BANDERA QUARRY #3 12/25/1982 CLOSED 3/7/1983 
008 NE OR103589532 BANDERA QUARRY #7 2/17/1983 CLOSED 4/20/1984 
008 SE OR102339968 BANDERA QUARRY #4 1/1/1983 CLOSED 3/7/1983
008 SE OR103255657 BANDERA QUARRY #1 2/17/1983 CLOSED 4/20/1984
009 SW OR102337944 BANDERA QUARRY #8 2/17/1983 CLOSED 4/20/1984
009 SW OR103247708 BANDERA QUARRY #6 1/1/1983 CLOSED 3/7/1983
009 SW OR103575446 BANDERA QUARRY #5 1/1/1983 CLOSED 3/7/1983

015 SE OR103301056 QUARTZ HEAVEN WASHINGTON MINERAL 4/7/1997 CLOSED 5/8/1997
015 SE OR103561583 QUARTZ HEAVEN 1/20/1998 CLOSED 8/31/1998

015 SE OR103429672 THE PLACER #2 5/12/1988 CLOSED 5/8/1989
015 SE OR103544913 THE PLACER #1 5/12/1988 CLOSED 5/8/1989

015 SW OR103264115 T H E #3 7/3/1989 CLOSED 12/30/1994
015 SW OR103649803 T.H.E. #3 10/6/1996 CLOSED 9/1/2002

022 NE OR101433444 BANANA SLUG 11/19/1981 CLOSED 9/1/2020 11/17/2021
022 NE OR101483130 GARDEN SLUG 11/19/1981 CLOSED 9/1/2020 11/17/2021

022 NE OR103257968 ITS A BEAUTIFUL DAY 11/3/1979 CLOSED 12/18/1981

022 NE OR103263611 HANSEN CREEK SEPTER 9/30/1990 CLOSED 12/30/1991

022 NE OR102334744 'SCEPTER TOO' 3/10/1979 CLOSED 9/3/1981
022 NE OR102480738 'SCEPTER' WASH ST MINERAL CNCL 6/7/1988 CLOSED 12/30/1990
022 NE OR103388107 'SCEPTER TOO' WASH ST MINERAL CNCL 6/7/1988 CLOSED 12/30/1990
022 NE OR103543977 SCEPTER 3/10/1979 CLOSED 9/3/1981
022 NE OR103649768 SCEPTER WASH ST MINERAL CNCL 10/15/1981 CLOSED 12/30/1986
023 NW OR103239938 SCEPTER FORE 4/28/1992 CLOSED 8/31/1998
023 NW OR103546095 SCEPTER TOO WASH ST MINERAL CNCL 10/15/1981 CLOSED 12/30/1986

022 SW OR103438497 'WILD SIDE MTN SANC 1' WILD SIDE OF THE MTN SANCTUARY 4/3/2008 CLOSED 9/1/2008
022 SE OR103438498 'WILD SIDE MTN SANC 2' WILD SIDE OF THE MTN SANCTUARY 4/3/2008 CLOSED 9/1/2008
022 NE OR103438499 PLACER CLAIM WILD SIDE MTN SANC 3 WILD SIDE OF THE MTN SANCTUARY 4/3/2008 CLOSED 9/1/2008
022 NE OR103438500 PLACER CLAIM WILD SIDE MTN SANC 4 WILD SIDE OF THE MTN SANCTUARY 4/3/2008 CLOSED 9/1/2008

022 NE OR102309582 PLACER CLAIM HC #3 G M MINING CO 3/20/1990 CLOSED 12/30/1998
022 NE OR103559309 PLACER CLAIM HC #3 G & M MINING COMPANY 6/24/1982 CLOSED 12/30/1988
022 NW OR102331131 HC #4 G & M MINING COMPANY 6/24/1982 CLOSED 12/30/1988
022 NW OR103257308 HC #4 G M MINING CO 3/20/1990 CLOSED 12/30/1998
022 SE OR103244942 'HC #2' G M MINING CO 3/20/1990 CLOSED 12/30/1998
022 SE OR103587875 'HC #2' G & M MINING COMPANY 6/24/1982 CLOSED 12/30/1988
022 SW OR103237831 'HC #1' G & M MINING COMPANY 6/24/1982 CLOSED 12/30/1988
022 SW OR103596286 HC CLAIM #1 G M MINING CO 3/20/1999 CLOSED 12/30/1998

027 SE OR103302825 BUTTERFLY 10/10/2009 CLOSED 11/17/2009

009 NE OR103267499 SERPENTINE B 6/16/1995  CLOSED 1/12/1996
009 SE OR103267499 SERPENTINE B 6/16/1995 CLOSED 1/12/1996

027 NW OR103549216 MOSS #1 6/6/1981 CLOSED 12/30/1986
027 NW OR103252131 MOSS #2 7/1/1981 CLOSED 12/30/1986
022 SW OR103568173 MOSS #3 7/1/1981 CLOSED 12/30/1986

027 NW OR103575430 SUN RISE #1 7/10/1981 CLOSED 11/17/1983
027 NW OR103267491 SUN RISE #2 7/10/1981 CLOSED 11/17/1983
027 NW OR103358563 HIGH NOON #1 7/10/1981 CLOSED 11/17/1983
027 NW OR103382434 HIGH NOON #2 7/10/1981 CLOSED 11/17/1983
027 NW OR103232428 HIGH NOON #3 7/10/1981 CLOSED 11/17/1983
027 SW OR103302621 HIGH NOON #4 7/10/1981 CLOSED 11/17/1983
027 SW OR102333276 SUN SET #2 7/10/1981 CLOSED 11/17/1983
027 NW OR103558145 SUN SET #1 7/10/1981 CLOSED 11/17/1983

Meridian Township Range: 33 0220N 0090E

001 SE OR103257973 PADGETT 4/20/1986 CLOSED 6/12/1986
011 NE OR103394772 CHANTRELLE #1 1/4/1981 CLOSED 8/31/1993
011 NE OR103564057 CHANTRELLE #2 1/4/1981 CLOSED 8/31/1993
011 NW OR103564057 CHANTRELLE #21/4/1981CLOSED 8/31/1993
011 OR103543828 BLACK #1 1/10/1982 CLOSED 5/16/1986
011  OR103581914 BLACK #2 1/10/1982 CLOSED 5/16/1986
012 OR103351390 BLACK #4 1/12/1982 CLOSED 5/16/1986
012 OR103590664 BLACK #3 1/12/1982 CLOSED 5/16/1986


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR - U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Mining properties in Washington involved in Defense Minerals Administration (DMA), Defense Minerals Exploration Administration (DMEA), or Office of Minerals Exploration (OME), 1950-1974. 
KING COUNTY
-Priestley Mining and Milling Co.
Lennox Mine (copper) Secs. 7, 8, 17, and 18, T. 25 N., R. 10 E. 
- Frank E. Langer
Langer mine (copper) Sec. 17, T. 25 N., R. 10 E. 
- Bear Basin Mining Co.
Bear Basin group (Snoqualmie mines)  (antimony-manganese) 
Secs. 13, 14, 23, and 24, T. 25 N., R. 10 E. 
- Consolidated Moly., Inc.
Devils Canyon prospect (tungsten) Sec. 27, T. 25 N., R. 10 E. 
- Devils Canyon Mining Co.
Devils Canyon mine (copper-molybdenum) Sec. 27, T. 25 N., R. 10 E. 
- Charles Sisenvine
Rainy claim (copper) Sec. 16, T. 24 N. R. 10 E 133
- Western States Copper
Rainy mine (copper) Sec. 16, T. 24 N., R. 10 E. 
- Washington Mining Corp.
Royal Reward mine (mercury) Sec. 8, T. 21 N., R. 7 E. 134

Apex Mine, Money Creek Mining District, King County, Washington, USA
Lat, Long:  47.6948°N 121.5134°W
https://thediggings.com/mines/18250
https://www.mindat.org/loc-21954.html
Located ~5 miles southwest in the woods near Highway 2 by Grotto, Washington.
The mine produced $300,000 of ore from 1901-1941 when it was closed. Historically associated with the Money Creek Mining District, the mine was one of the first and largest producers in the district (now part of the Snoqualmie National Forest). The discovery of the mine dates back to 1889, and it has been in operation as an underground mining site since 1892.
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APEX PRODUCED 300 TONS WORTH $80, 000 PRIOR TO 1901.
PRODUCED ORE WORTH A TOTAL OF $300, 000 FROM MINING IN 1905, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1916-1920, 1926, 1928, AND 1936-1943 (HUNTTING, 1956, P. 126 ).
PRODUCTION FROM 1905 TO 1940 WAS VALUED AT $220, 000 (MOEN, 1976, P. 166 ).
SHIPMENTS IN 1921 AVERAGED BETWEEN 21% AND 26% AS, 18 AND 20 OZ/TON SILVER, 1. 5 AND 2. 5 OZ/TON GOLD, AND 4. 5 AND 6% LEAD (LIVINGSTON, 1971, P. 163).
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Rattlesnake Mountain
https://aqua.kingcounty.gov/council/clerk/OldOrdsMotions/Motion%2010379.pdf
Very little economically profitable mineral material exists on Rattlesnake Mountain. A limited attempt at coal mining occurred at the Niblock Mine, northeast of the Scenic Area on Rattlesnake Mountain during the early years of the 1900's. Although mineral resource rights within the RMSA are held by the previous owner (Weyerhaeuser Co.), future mineral prospecting in the Scenic Area is unlikely. 

BLM General Land Office (GLO) Records Image
Weyerhaeuser Lands sold to Forest Service 
East King County 1984
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Coal Creek Mining
Coal Creek is a creek in Bellevue, Washington, United States, on Seattle's Eastside. It is named for the coal mining industry prominent in the area in the 19th century In 1983, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement reclaimed entries to the mine, and by 1984 fenced off 16 "extremely hazardous" openings, contracting work to permanently seal them by 1986.

see: WA Geological Survey - The Coal Fields of King County 1912 https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/ger_b3_coal_fields_kingcounty.pdf

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MISC: MINING LEGAL RULES:

Maintenance Fee Payment Waiver Certification 
(Small Miner's Waiver)
If claimant owns 10 or fewer non-closed claims/sites on Federal land nationwide, may qualify for maintenance fee payment waiver if spending $100 in labor or improvements each claim

Bulletin No. 41 "AN OUTLINE OF MINING LAWS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON"
Compiled and Annotated by MORTON H. VAN NUYS MINING LAWYER, SEATTLE
JULY 1, 1953 https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/ger_b41_mining_laws_wa.pdf

LAND PATENTS

Question: If I file a mining claim, can I eventually obtain title (patent) to the land? 
Answer: No. October 1, 1994, Congress imposed a moratorium on spending appropriated funds for the acceptance or processing of mineral patent applications"
Is an already patented mining claim private property? 
Answer: Yes.
Is an unpatented mining claim considered real property? 
Answer: Yes. The owner of an unpatented claim is entitled to mine, remove, and sell all valuable mineral deposits within his claim boundaries provided they follows the regulations for Surface Management (USFS or BLM). [United States Supreme Court case of Wilbur v. U.S. ex rel Krushnic, 280 US 306 (1930)].

Segregation of Public Lands Being Considered for Sale
Segregation of lands being considered for sale is an important component to preclude incompatible actions, such as filing of mining claims.

Prior Mining Laws

-Wilderness Act - September 3, 1964
Public Law 88-577 (16 U.S.C. 1131-1136)

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United States Code of Federal Regulations

👉On Federal FS/BLM lands, "Special Forest Products (SFP)" may require a "free use permit".
SFP category does not include minerals, rocks, or soil you take with you! 
("SFP" includes mushrooms, timber, plants - harvest is ok within limits to consume within forest/lands... but you still need permission if you take SFP out of Forest Service / BLM lands.)

SEGREGATION BY CLASSIFICATION
Title 43 Subtitle B Chapter II Subchapter B PART 2440
§ 2440.4 Specific criteria for segregative effect of classification for disposal.

see also:
Segregation Rule Briefing Paper 
If a segregation is put into place, the area segregated will not be open to the filing of mining claims and will not be subject to any of the general land laws.

43 CFR 3809.5(1&2) :
Casual use is defined as those activities that cause little or no surface disturbance
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MINING and MINERALS
CFR Title 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-II/part-228
PART 228—MINERALS; Subpart A—Locatable Minerals
§ 228.1 Purpose.
"It is the purpose of these regulations to set forth rules and procedures through which use of the surface of National Forest System lands in connection with operations authorized by the United States mining laws (30 U.S.C. 21-54: Mineral lands reserved), which confer statutory right to enter upon the public lands to search for minerals ..." 
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§ 228.4 Plan of operations—notice of intent—requirements.
(1) A notice of intent to operate is not required for:
(i) Operations which will be limited to the use of vehicles on existing public roads or roads used and maintained for National Forest System purposes;
(ii) Prospecting and sampling which will not cause significant surface resource disturbance and will not involve removal of more than a reasonable amount of mineral deposit for analysis and study which generally might include ... gold panning
(iii) Marking and monumenting a mining claim;
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PART 251 - LAND USES - SUBPART B: SPECIAL USES
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-36/chapter-II/part-251/subpart-B/section-251.50
§ 251.50 Scope.
(a) All uses of National Forest System lands, improvements, and resources, except those authorized by the regulations governing sharing use of roads ... and minerals (part 228) ... are designated “special uses.”
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§ 8365.1-2 Occupancy and use.
On all public lands, no person shall:
(a) Camp longer than the period of time permitted by the authorized officer; or
(b) Leave personal property unattended longer than 10 days (12 months in Alaska)
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43 CFR 8365.1-5(b)(4)
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-B/chapter-II/subchapter-H/part-8360/subpart-8365/section-8365.1-5
§ 8365.1-5 Property and resources.
(b) ... it is permissible to collect from the public lands reasonable amounts of the following for noncommercial purposes

Authority:30 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 43 U.S.C. 315, 423.
§ 5500.0-3 Authority.
(a) The Act of July 31, 1947 and the Act of September 25, 1962 authorizes the disposal of timber and other vegetative resources on public lands of the United States including lands embraced within an unpatented mining claim located after July 23, 1955, if the disposal of such resources is not otherwise expressly authorized by law (i.e. Burn bans)

Paleontological Resources Preservation
Title 43 Public Lands: Interior Subtitle A Part 49
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-49/subpart-I
§ 49.805 Where is casual collecting allowed?

CFR Title 43 Subtitle B Chapter II Subchapter C Part 3600
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-B/chapter-II/subchapter-C/part-3600/subpart-3602/subject-group-ECFR9938154236adc9a/section-3602.10
§ 3602.10 Applying for a mineral materials sales contract.


Revised Code of Washington State (RCW)

Specialized forest products permits—Required—Inspection.
RCW 90.48.615 Motorized or gravity siphon aquatic mining—Prohibited acts.

RCW 77.15.300
RCW 78.44 - SURFACE MINING (ON STATE OR LOCAL PUBLIC LANDS)



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