PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on proposed exploratory drilling on approximately 13 acres of public lands within a 2,424-acre project area, south of Lone Pine in Inyo County. If approved, Mojave Precious Metals Inc. could search for mineral deposits, including gold, on public lands where they currently hold mining claims.

Mojave Precious Metals Inc. proposes to modify its existing, approved plan of operations to drill 120 exploratory bore holes at up to 30 locations. Proposed drilling would aim to gather data on known areas of minerals. The plan modification includes work such as access road reconstruction, drill pad and sump construction, and other related activities.

The proposed project supports DOI Secretarial Order 3418 – Unleashing American Energy, by encouraging exploration and production on federal lands to meet the needs of American citizens. The proposed area is designated as open to mineral exploration.

The Bureau of Land Management will hold an in-person public meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 5–7 p.m. at Statham Town Hall, 138 N. Jackson St., Lone Pine, CA 93545. BLM staff will be available during the meeting to discuss the alternatives and analysis and answer any questions.

A Notice of Availability will publish in tomorrow’s Federal Register to open a 45-day comment period. Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register, where comment may be submitted through the ‘Participate Now’ option (preferred). Comments may also be submitted via email to BLM_CA_RI_MojavePMetals@blm.gov, or delivered to the BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, ATTN: Mojave Exploration Drilling Project, 300 S. Richmond Road, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. The public comment period closes June 16, 2025.

For more information, please contact BLM Ridgecrest Field Manager Philip DeSenze at BLM_CA_RI_MojavePMetals@blm.gov.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management reminds claimants who wish to retain mining claims on public lands through the 2025 assessment year to pay a Maintenance Fee or file a Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification (Small Miner’s Waiver) on or before Tues., Sept. 3, to prevent the mining claim from being declared forfeit and void.

Courtesy Mining Claims Packets are available online or upon request through the California State Office, Information Access Center (Public Room). The BLM will not be mailing packets, unless requested.

The Maintenance Fee for a Lode Claim, Tunnel Site, or Mill Site is $200 per claim or site. For Placer Claims only, the fees are $200 for every 20 acres or portion thereof. Claimants who filed a Small Miner’s Waiver in 2023 for the 2024 assessment year will be required to file an Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work form, including the required $15 assessment fee per claim on or before Monday, Dec. 30.

The California State Office Public Room is open to in-person visits; however, the BLM encourages submission of mining claims by mail or online.

• Mail: Checks must be pre-printed showing the address, with recommended Certified Mail being the preferred method of shipment, to Bureau of Land Management-CASO, ATTN: Accounts/Mining, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825. Payments or filings by mail must be postmarked on or before Tues, Sept. 3.
   
• Phone: For Maintenance Fees Only: Call 916-978-4400 to pay with a credit card by telephone.
   
• Online: Visit the BLM’s Mineral & Land Records System (MLRS) payment portal to make payment with a credit card. Note: The Small Miner’s Waiver cannot be filed on MLRS due to original signatures needed; please submit the Small Miner’s Waiver in-person or through the mail.
   
• In-person: claimants who wish to make filings and payments via mail or in-person must make their filing to the proper BLM State Office for the state where the mining claims or sites are located. Check the website for times and telephone numbers for BLM Public Room hours.

For information on the filing deadlines, Maintenance Fees, Maintenance Fee Waiver Certifications, or Federal Land Policy and Management Act filings (Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work or Notice of Intent to Hold) please call the Information Access Center (CA Public Room) at 916-978-4400 or visit the BLM California Public Room website.

To review mining claim fees, please visit the website or the Federal Register. Please note the Federal Register notice states the fees are due on or before Sept. 1, 2024; however, that date is moved out to Sept. 3 due to the first being on a Sunday and Tuesday, Sept. 2, is a federal holiday.

ALTURAS, Calif. —  The Bureau of Land Management today began a 30-day public comment period on a draft environmental analysis for the proposed expansion of gold exploration on approximately 200 acres of public lands at the site of the former Hog Ranch Mine in Washoe County, Nev. The comment period will end October 30, 2023.

The project, proposed by Hog Ranch Minerals Inc., would include improved, permanent and temporary access roads, drill pads, exploration drill holes, a staging area and a water well, mostly on the previously disturbed mine site. During the environmental analysis, the BLM will consider impacts to cultural and biological resources, including opportunities to minimize impacts to sensitive plant species and special status wildlife species.

“The BLM has been fully engaged with cooperators, including the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Technical Team, to make sure this proposed exploration meets the highest level of environmental protection,” said BLM Applegate Field Office Manager Craig Drake. “We look forward to hearing from the public on our work as we consider appropriate mitigation measures for this project.”

Comments can be emailed to BLM_CA_Web_AP@blm.gov (preferred) or mailed to ATTN: Craig Drake, Surprise Field Station BLM, 602 Cressler Street, Cedarville, CA 96104. Please add “Hog Ranch Exploration Project” in the subject line.

Maps and additional information about the project are available at the BLM NEPA Register, or by calling the BLM Surprise Field Station at 530-279-6101.