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exposure. It is used to show the extent of the discovery on the claim(s), but cannot be used alone. EXPLANATION OF "LOCATION" Mining Claims and Sites Anyone who is a citizen of the United States or has declared an intention to become a citizen may locate a mining claim. A corporation organized under State laws may also locate a mining claim. The Government considers corporations to have the same standing as a citizen. A claim held by an alien is voidable only by the U.S. Government, not another individual. There is no limit to the number of claims and sibs thafmay be held by a claimant A mining claim is a particular parcel of Federal land, valuable for a specific mineral depositor deposits. It is a pazcel for which an individual has asserted a right of possession. The right is restricted to the extraction and development of a mineral deposit. The rights granted by a mining claim are valid against a challenge by the United States and other claimants only after the discov- ery of avaluable mineral deposit. There are two types of mining claims, lode and placer. There aze two other types of mineral entries, mill sites and tunnel sites. Lode Claims: Deposits subject to lode claims include classic veins or ]odes having well-defined boundaries. They also include other rock in- place bearing valuable minerals and may be broad zones of mineralized rock. Examples include quartz or other veins bearing gold or other metallic minerals and large volume, but low-grade disseminated metallic deposits. Lode claims are usually described as parallelograms Reclamation is a requirement following any surface-disturbing activity, even if the claim or site is declared abandoned and void by the BLM. It is also required if the claimant relinquishes the claim or site to the Federal Government. The BLM may require a ret:lamation bond or other financial security prior to approving a plan of operations. Approval of plans of operations are usually at the local level. Therefore, the operator should contact the proper BLM District or Resource Area Office for questions concerning plans of operation (see Figure 3). States: Operators should be aware that many States have their own mining and reclamation laws. Many also have their own enviromnental laws to regulate air and water pollution and use of hazardous materials. Some States, like California and Alaska, require a permit for use of suction dredges. Similarly, conswction activi- tiesusually require meeting standards of a county code, as well as State public health and safety standazds. Some States have entered into a memorandtmt of understanding or a cooperative agreement with the BLM and the Forest Service. These agreements reduce the duplication by the operator and Federal and State agencies in enforcing roles. Forthese reasons, operators should inquire about State and local requirements before trying to mine on public ]ands and National Forest System lands. Areas of Special Concern: The Federal Gov- emmentmaintains the right to manage the surface and surface resources on mining claims and sites located under the Mining Law after July 23, 1955, and many claims located before that date (see 30 U.S.C. 612). This includes the use of the area for public recreational purposes that do not interfere with a mining activity. 25