§35 Placer Claims; Entry and Proceedings for Patent Under Provisions Applicable to Vein or Lode Claims; Conforming Entry to Legal Subdivisions and Surveys; Limitation of Claims; Homestead Entry of Segregated Agricultural Land

Summary

Placer mining claims (all loose mineral deposits except veins of quartz or rock in place) can be entered and patented under the same procedures as vein or lode claims. When the land was already surveyed, the claim’s outer boundaries must match the legal land divisions. If they match, no new survey or map is needed. Placer claims located after the 10th day of May 1872 must, as much as possible, fit the U.S. public-land survey grid and its rectangular subdivisions, and no single claimant can take more than 20 acres. If a claim cannot be made to fit the legal divisions, a survey and map must be made like for unsurveyed land. If setting aside mineral land in a legal subdivision leaves less than 40 acres of farm land, that leftover may be claimed as a homestead by any person qualified by law.