§521 Mineral Leasing Claims

Summary

Gives mining claims made under U.S. mining laws between July 31, 1939 and February 10, 1954 special protection when the land at the time of location was part of a mineral lease, had a lease application, or was known to contain leasable minerals. The claim will be treated as if the land had not been so leased or applied for, as long as the owner follows the chapter’s rules and does not impair any valid rights others already hold. Owners of claims made before January 1, 1953 had to post and record an amended notice within the time allowed by chapter 11. Owners of claims made between January 1, 1953 and February 10, 1954 had to, within 120 days after August 13, 1954, post and record an amended notice saying they seek these protections, and, if they had filed a uranium lease application, withdraw it or release any issued uranium lease with the Atomic Energy Commission and record that withdrawal or release. Work done or improvements made after the original claim location count fully for the claim. Any later government withdrawal or reservation of the land is changed so it affects the claim the same way it would have if the land had been open to location between July 31, 1939 and the date of the withdrawal or reservation.