Gold Claims?

[Trask]

What can anyone tell me about gold claims...I understand Nevada is very "mineral friendly" and I am interested in exploring some sites in NW Nevada.
Could be fun..I understand one can file a claim for minimal cost, on Federal or BLM lands..But aside from that I am having difficulty understanding the parameters of the process and where lands subject to open claims are located.
Thanks for any guidance.

[DesertWalker]

Good luck. The NV BLM has closed of many areas where one could file a claim in years past. In fact they are making it rather difficult for folks who have existing claims by continually throwing silly, but enforceable regulations at them. But, you just have to go to the nearest BLM office and may get different or better answers. As far as I have heard, it is not against any law to "prospect" and collect minerals from the surface of the ground.

[Trask]

Who said I wasn't gonna look for Gold? It's a thousand dollars an ounce..and Humbolt county is a pretty likely spot for it..One of the places I hunt has a large gold mine going on the hill above me..
I thought it might be fun for my wife to dig for gold while I go off in search of artifacts too

I'm still gonna look into it...Possibly talk to some of the folks in Virgin Valley and see what they know.
My brother in law just rolled his eyes when I told him about this and said...":Not Another One of Your HairBrained Scemes!!!"

[DesertWalker]

There are many things most folks don't understand about finding gold. But, ya can't tell them, they won't listen, especially the really smart ones..lol.

[homestyle]

I trade Gold Futures among other things and as I write this it's actually trading at 1413 an ounce, just under it's all time high of 1432.5 set on 12/07/2010. Sounds like good fun.

[arrow719]

I don't think a person could be very successful mining gold in Nevada. You would need many millions just to get the equipment you would need. Unless you can pan for it like in California? I know you can buy opal mine claims up there in the Virgin Valley. You would probably have better luck with that.

[DesertWalker]

You hit on it, Floyd. Most "free" or placer gold areas are hard to find nowadays. The alluvial fans have been studied and worked for years. I'm not trying to discourage anybody...just sayin. Granted, it is much fun to go out exploring and prospecting for gold, and you may find some grains or nuggets, but when you pay for your gas, let me know..lol.

[DesertWalker]

Just a follow up, Trask. If you haven't Read "Basin and Range" by John McPhee, I would recommend it. Some real good "in a nutshell" geology information.