AK DNR Nome Off Shore Lease Sale

[Joe S (AK)]

http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/

Last minute find under "Nome Mining"

Sealed Bidding Begins January 1, 2020
Sealed Bidding Ends February 28, 2020

[Jim_Alaska]

I won't say this program is illegal, but it is highly irregular. Leasable/Saleable is in the realm of oil and gas. Locatable is just what it says it is....Locatable. Therefore it falls under the General Mining Law of 1866 as amended. This means that anyone can file a claim on it. Something is badly amiss here

[Jim_Alaska]

After thinking about it I am confused. If the state actually owns the minerals they could lease the land, just like any mining company leases their land.

Their terminology is skewed. Their notice says the lease is for "Locatable Minerals" they are mixing up "locatable "and Salable/leasable. There would be no confusion if they said they were leasing the land, but by inserting the word "Locatable", it is more than confusing.

The word "locatable" puts it in the realm of land that can be claimed by a miner or other person.

[Geowizard]

Locatable minerals on State land;

When Alaska obtained Statehood, the State of Alaska "selected" lands within the state to be "Patented" to and thereby owned and controlled by the State under the Laws of the State of Alaska. There were obvious mineral and other resources that required regulation and control, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was formed and Mining Law was written that generally follows Federal Mining Law.

The regulations are available on the DNR website.

Once the state receives patent from the Federal Government, the State of Alaska owns the land. They are offering to "lease" parcels of land for mining of the Locatable Minerals. It's not an oil lease, not a sand and gravel lease.

Just the "Locatable Minerals".

- Geowizard

[Geowizard]

Tracts available;

The available tracts are listed here:

http://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/Nome-O ... -FINAL.pdf

- Geowizard

[Jim_Alaska]

Yes Chuck, I forgot about the special status of different lands in Alaska. Guess I have been away from there for too long.

[Geowizard]

Special Indeed!

Alaska has become a special place for mining because the large amount of GOLD contained over a vast land holding is controlled by rational people that recognize the importance of natural resources and administer them for the public good.

- Geowizard