Where can Prospecting be Done?

Prospecting can still be done in a range of diverse places in the United States. If a discovery is made of a valuable mineral such as gold, staking a claim is a good option. The areas where this can be done include Oregon, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, California, Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Mexico, South Dakota, Washington, Utah and Wyoming. These areas are for the most part unreserved Federal public lands and are administered by the Bureau of Land Management of the United States Department of the Interior. The public land records in the appropriate Bureau of Land Management State office will give information on the lands that are not allowed or closed off to entry under the mining laws. The Bureau of Land Management State office has the latest status on lands and is made available to the general public to look into. These places also publish a series of ownership and surface maps that illustrate the general ownership outline of the lands that are public. Those interested have the option of purchasing such maps at most Bureau of Land Management State offices. Look into the official land records if you are looking into a specific tract of land. For those looking into gold mining in Oregon or any of the states previously mentioned, bear in mind that determining the location and extent of public lands that are open to mineral entry for prospecting and mining purposes is a process that is time consuming but an essential requirement. It is absolutely vital to be aware of which lands are open to prospecting and which are closed to it. Certain lands fall under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service and prospecting may be permitted however there are a series of regulations that need to be followed.