Mineral Survey Procedures Guide, 1980

The guide offers a clear overview of how the United States manages its mineral resources, beginning with the history of mining districts that sprang up after the 1849 gold rush. It explains the relationship between federal, state, and district mining laws, showing how early prospectors created their own rules before formal legislation caught up. Readers get a sense of the legal foundations that still shape mineral claims today.

From the qualifications and duties of a mineral surveyor to step‑by‑step instructions for field work, office processing, and even resurvey situations, the manual walks users through every stage of a survey. Detailed chapters cover discovery and location of lode, placer, and tunnel claims, as well as the paperwork required to register and defend them. A comprehensive glossary and index make it a handy reference for surveyors, land managers, and anyone involved in evaluating mining claims.