§501 Mining claims located between July 31, 1939, and January 1, 1953

Summary

Treat mining claims staked under U.S. mining laws after July 31, 1939 and before January 1, 1953 as valid on federal land if, when they were located, the land was either part of a permit or lease, had an application or offer filed for a permit or lease, or was known to be valuable for minerals that could be leased. This applies only if other parts of this chapter or valid U.S. rights do not say otherwise. Work done or improvements added after the claim was first located count the same as for other mining claims. Any later withdrawal or reservation of the land is changed so it affects the claim only as if the claim had been on land open to location under the mining laws after July 31, 1939 and before the date of the withdrawal.