Miners can no longer claim land just by living on it

The US Land Management Bureau has removed rules that let people claim federal land for mining simply by living there. This means miners can no longer use a cabin or other structure as proof of a valid mining claim.

For decades, people could claim federal land for mining by showing they were using it, often by building a cabin or other structure. This rule change removes that loophole. It means that to claim federal land, miners must now prove they are actively mining, not just occupying the land.