OLDEST MINING CLUB
IN WASHINGTON STATE!
North American Miners Association
~Gold Prospecting ~Rock Hounding ~Metal Detecting
EDUCATION
Prospecting Information
FEDERAL:
While Federal mining laws are in place and are covered under that General Mining act of 1872 (courtesy of Wikipedia) it is important to note that each state also regulates mineral prospecting within its borders. While we will do our best to keep all information as current as possible ultimately it is your responsibility to know and follow all the laws in the area that you are prospecting.
MINING CLAIMS:
It is important to note that you may only prospect on claims to which you have permission. There are areas that are unclaimed and thus you may prospect given you follow the laws of the state and area you are prospecting. NAMA gives its members access to club claims in both Oregon and Washington. You can find out more under the About Us Tab.
WASHINGTON:
Mineral prospecting in the state of Washington is regulated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/mining/. You will need to read and follow the rules in the Gold and Fish pamphlet, "Mineral Prospecting and Placer Mining Rules." We've supplied a link that will lead you to the downloadable version that you can print or you can call the WDFW and request one be sent to you. Keep in mind that you will need to have one copy on the work site with you. Also contained within that link you will find additional information regarding beach placer mining. and other links.
Oregon:
Mineral prospecting in the state of Oregon is regulated by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality www.oregon.gov/DEQ/ Information on prospecting can be found under the Water Quality Permit Program - Metal Mining Activities. Please make sure you read and understand all laws pertaining to prospecting within the state of Oregon.
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2022 WASHINGTON STATE
Detecting Rights
Metal Detecting Association of Washington
The MDAW exists to PRESERVE, PROMOTE and PROTECT metal detecting rights. Some of the concerns related to detecting in this state are unique to the Pacific Northwest. As a group we strive to work with hobbyists, in clubs or not, who want to enjoy metal detecting, follow the rules set down about the hobby and in some cases help to change those rules. The MDAW works in cooperation with the Office of Historical and Archaeological Preservation of Washington State and Washington State Parks.
Mining Rights
The Washington Small-scale Miner’s Action Group (WASMAG) is a corporation of small-scale miners, prospectors, and mining entities organized as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of Washington. It was established and registered with the Washington Secretary of State on Oct 1, 2021.
The Corporation consists of a board of directors that are federal mining claim owners and our members are assorted small-scale miners, and prospectors. WASMAG members have a vested interest in Washington State and federal laws and rule changes that impact small-scale miners. We deal with issues one at a time and once we solve one, we move on to the next one.
The purpose of the Corporation is to support Washington State’s small-scale mining population by advancing mining rights through political and/or legal actions. The Corporation shall initiate political and/or legal action to address state or federal rules or laws that pertain to management of federal mining claims, federal mining claim operation, or mining and prospecting methods in the state of Washington. Come help us decide what, when, and where we address these issues.
You can contact us at WASMAG.org