Show A REVISION OF THE MINING LAWS there has been a general discussion recently regarding some of the flaws in the united states mining laws that calls to mind many changes that would be very beneficial in the mining section of the country the importance of these changes cannot be over estimated A revision of a few sections of the general laws would eliminate many costly suits and much use les litigation and would enable many valuable properties to be patented and worked at a profit probably the most important change that congress should make in the united states mining code is the abolition of the apex law which provides that the claim owner may follow the lode or vein outside the sidelines of his claim this law has caused more trouble and litigation than any other feature in the mining laws in most cases a claim is large enough for the owner to confine his operations to the vertical extensions of the boundaries A claimant is not allowed to follow a lead beyond the end lines of his claim why should he go beyond the limits of the sidelines the irregularities of ore bodies leads veins etc make the plan of the vertical extension of boundaries the only logical course A uniform law for the location of claims throughout the country should also be enacted this law should prescribe the exact method of location the form of the location notice and should also require a fairly accurate survey of the claim within a certain time after location another most important addition would be the establishment of a department of mining with its head a member of the presidents cabinet this will most likely be accomplished accompli shed by this session of congress A more liberal application of the requirements for patenting by the united states land office would also be a step in the right direction the mining laws should be a help and not a hindrance to the development of the mineral resources of the country |