About 20 years ago I stopped at a small cafe in southwestern Arizona. I needed a burger and a cold beer badly. There was an old codger there, pouring down a few and we got to talking. By his looks, I guessed him to be a prospector which he finally admitted he was. About time to leave I picked up his tab and paid for both. We talked for a few minutes at the counter and he reached into his torn-faded coveralls and slid a small jar my way. "How many ounces would you say is in t

The Bureau of Land Management has announced an increase in mining claim location and maintenance fees. The adjusted annual maintenance fee is due on or before Sept. 1, 2019 for existing claims and sites. For lode claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites, the annual maintenance fee will be $165 per claim or site. For placer claims, the fee will be $165 for each 20 acres or portion thereof for each claim. Mining claimants must begin paying the new location and initial maintenance f