How do I locate, file and/or maintain a mining claim?

Before you can locate a claim, you must determine if the lands are, in fact, open to filing a claim. You can find this out at any Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office. The BLM administers the subsurface mineral resources on federal public lands. The BLM's Mining Law Administration Program manages claim recordation, annual assessment work and fees, mineral patents and surface management. The BLM website provides information and guidelines on mining claims, locating/recording a mining claim, service charges and fees, and other topics. BLM also maintains the Land and Mineral Records System.

New Mexico Statutes Annotated (NMSA), Chapter 69, Article 3 (Mining Location and Operations) addresses, among other things, boundary posts, posting notice, and recording fees.

How do I find out who owns the mineral rights to a piece of property?
MMD, whose focus is mine land reclamation, does not administer or maintain information on mineral rights ownership. Mineral rights are registered with the county clerk of the county in which the rights are located. A listing of county offices and courthouses can be found at the New Mexico Association of Counties.

The BLM also maintains information on mineral ownership and rights on federal lands. The BLM New Mexico State Office has a public information room, located at 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (phone: 505 954-2000), where information on mineral rights and mining claims can be researched.

If the mineral rights are owned by the State of New Mexico, you can contact the State Land Office Minerals Program at (505) 827-5750.

Who can tell me where mineral deposits are located?
The Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, a division of New Mexico Tech, functions as the state geological survey. The Bureau publishes geologic maps, resource maps and other types of publications which talk about the nature and occurrence of mineral resources in the state. It maintains an extensive collection of core samples, databases, and historical mining maps in its libraries. The staff of economic geologists and engineers is highly experienced in the New Mexico extractive resources industry.

Further information about the location of extractive mineral resources can also be obtained from the Minerals Program of the State Land Office.