Chapter 9: Minerals
For useful links to a variety of web sites concerning mining and minerals
issues, you may want to visit the University of Denver's Natural Resources Weblinks
by clicking here.
I. An Introduction to Mining
A. A Brief History of Mining
Questions and Discussion (pages 984-87)
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B. Mining and the Environment
C. Mining and Worker Safety
Questions and Discussion (pages 988-89)
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D. Mineral Economics
Questions and Discussion (page 991)
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Problem Exercise: Exploring the Volatility of Minerals Markets
E. Methods for Developing Minerals
Questions and Discussion (pages 995-97) (The Columbia Encyclopedia)
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F. Mineral Development Outside the United States
II. Mineral Property
A. Who Owns the Minerals? Acquisition and Loss of Mineral
Rights
Questions and Discussion (pages 1000-02) (Algonquin Coal Co.)
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1. The Broad Form Deed
Questions and Discussion (pages 1008-1010) (Kentucky Oak Mining Company)
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Problem Exercise: Legal Limits on the Terms of a Lease
2. Split Estates
Questions and Discussion (pages 1014-15) (Texaco Inc.)
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B. Defining the Mineral Resource
Questions and Discussion (pages 1017-18) (Maurice Tanner)
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Questions and Discussion (pages 1020-22) (Charleston Stone Products)
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1. Coal Bed Methane
Questions and Discussion (1029-31) (Amoco Production Co.)
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Mineral Conveyance Drafting Exercise
III. Mining on the Public Lands
A. An Introduction to the General Mining Laws of 1872
Questions and Discussion (pages 1037-38) (Hardrock Mining on the Public Lands)
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B. Public Lands Open to Mineral Location
Questions and Discussion (pages 1040-41)
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C. Types of Mining Claims
1. Lode and Placer Claims
Questions and Discussion (pages 1043-48) (Eureka Consolidated Mining Co.)
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2. Mill Sites
Questions and Discussion (pages 1050-51)
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Problem Exercise: Mining and Mill Sites
D. Staking a Mining Claim
1. Federal and State Standards
Questions and Discussion (pages 1053-54)
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Problem Exercise: Location and Recording Requirements
Questions and Discussion (pages 1055-56)
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2. Amendment and Relocation
Questions and Discussion (page 1057)
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3. Assessment Work
Questions and Discussion (pages 1061-64) (TOSCO)
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4. Recording Requirements Under FLPMA
Questions and Discussion (pages 1070-72) (Unites States v. Locke)
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E. Pedis Possessio
Questions and Discussion (pages 1073-74)
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Problem Exercise: Pedis Possessio Rights
F. Discovery of Valuable Minerals
Questions and Discussion (page 1076) (Castle v. Womble)
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Questions and Discussion (page 1079) (United States v. Coleman)
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Questions and Discussion (pages 1080-83) (Foster v. Seaton)
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Questions and Discussion (pages 1087-88) (Pittsburgh Pacific Co.)
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G. Challenges to the Validity of Mining Claims
Questions and Discussion (pages 1089-92)
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H. Mining Claim Patents
Questions and Discussion (pages 1094-96)
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I. The Mechanics of Mining Claim Transactions
Mining Claim Purchase Review Process
IV. Mineral Sales and Leases on Public Lands
A. The Common Varieties Act
Questions and Discussion (pages 1101-02) (McClarty)
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B. The Surface Resources Act
Questions and Discussion (pages 1103-05)
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Problem Exercise: Discovery Problems and the Surface Resources
Act
C. The Mineral Leasing Act
1. Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing
A copy of the BLM's current oil and gas lease form is available here.
Questions and Discussion (pages 1109-12)
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2. Coal Leasing
Questions and Discussion (pages 1116-19)
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3. Leasing of Minerals Other Than Coal
D. Multiple Mineral Development
Questions and Discussion (page 1121)
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V. Environmental Regulation of Mining
A. Environmental Regulation of Hard Rock Mining
1. Federal Regulation of Mining to Protect the Environment
2. State Regulation of Mining to Protect the Environment
Questions and Discussion (pages 1132-34) (California Coastal Commission)
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Problem Exercise: Environmental Restrictions that Preclude
Mining
Problem Exercise: The Glamis Imperial Mine
B. Environmental Regulation of Coal Mining
Questions and Discussion (pages 1139-40)
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