How to Stake a Mining Claim in Montana

Verify land status

Use the BLM Mineral & Land Records System to confirm the land is open for mineral entry. Check for withdrawals, existing claims, and overlapping jurisdictions.

Determine claim type

Choose one of four claim types based on the mineral deposit and your intended use:

• Lode claim — vein or rock in place deposits (e.g., gold in quartz)
• Placer claim — loose deposits (e.g., stream gold)
• Mill site — up to 5 acres for processing facilities
• Tunnel site — for tunnel-based exploration

Physically stake the land

Place legally recognized boundary monuments at the corners of your claim. GPS coordinates are now standard practice.

Montana-specific: Montana mining claim requirements are set out in MCA Title 82, Chapter 2. Federal requirements under 43 CFR 3832 apply on BLM-administered lands. [source]

File Notice of Location

File a Certificate of Location with both the county recorder's office and the BLM state office within 90 days of staking. [source]

Pay required fees

Initial filing costs approximately $274 per claim:

• $25 processing fee
• $49 location fee
• $200 annual maintenance fee

Source: 43 CFR 3833. [source]

Annual renewal

Pay the $200 maintenance fee before September 1 each year, or file a Small Miner Waiver if you hold 10 or fewer claims and perform $100 of assessment work.

Missing the September 1 deadline results in automatic forfeiture with no grace period.

Silver Bow County

Silver Bow County Clerk and Recorder

Lewis and Clark County

Lewis and Clark County Clerk and Recorder

Madison County

Madison County Clerk and Recorder

Beaverhead County

Beaverhead County Clerk and Recorder

Jefferson County

Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder