APMA for Suction Dredging

[easy goer]

Anyone out there ever applied for a mining permit for a suction dredge in AK. 6" or less is recreational, I am thinking 8". Seems like a lot of stuff to deal with. Would be for dredging on inland state land.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Easygoer

[Geowizard]

Easygoer,

Welcome to the Forum!

Yep, I've done that. No point in operating on the regulatory line and not knowing which side you're on. Yes, 6" is recreational. If you EVER plan on an 8" - my advice is just get an APMA for the six and leave the option open to grow into the larger dredge.

Go online to DNR mining and get the application. Fill it out and send in the application fee(s). Your name, address and where you will be operating shouldn't be too complicated. A few details about "the plan" are generic for the most part. Describe the equipment and what your plan is... You will obviously need a mining claim or permission from the owner of the claim.

DNR recommends getting the application in by February. That gives them time to process it before the offices clear out as they head out to the field for the summer.

Good luck!

- Geowizard

[easy goer]

Thanks for the reply! One advantage seems to be the ability to use structures on the claims. Is this something that is approved or is it like the BLM, you can do this if we approve it, we just never approve it.

Looking at the application a couple of questions pop up. How do you estimate yards moved per day and gallons of water discharged. These seem totally SWAG (scientific wild ass guess) numbers. Is anyone aware of where you can find boilerplate language that has been approved in the past?

Another question, they ask about stream crossing and locations as well as dredge sites. Again this seems like a guess? Until you are dredging and either finding or not finding gold how do you know how many spots you will be working?? Might be trying to be too specific here. Again, would be nice to see some language that has been approved.

Thanks,

Easygoer

[Micropedes1]

-Easy Goer, it has been a while since my last APMA but I seem to remember its more about the water-use permit and the reclamation (bond, if necessary). Geo is right about needing the claim first, either yours or a registered lease, before you file the APMA.

As far as structures on a claim, I am not real sure about now. I do recall that we had dredging claims 10 years ago with temporary structures on them. Nothing elaborate, just a framework of cut timbers holding clear plastic and tarps. They had to be removed when you abandoned the claims. We had more permanent log structures on the highway system on a state mining support claim. These were dismantled and moved when we moved to another area and dropped the claim. Hope that this helps.

[easy goer]

Micropedes1,

Thanks! I have claims that I recently purchased. I will do exploration only this summer and will go at it in earnest in 2020. I will file for a multi year permit starting in 2020.

As far as water use the only part that pertains to me is the camp water issue.

Part A is Startup Water and Makeup Water, this sounds like land based sluicing, I am only dredging in the river.
Part B Recycling Settling Ponds, again I don't think its relevant to Suction Dredging

Part C Pond Size from Part B

Part D Is the camp water section, I am hauling it in.

Part E Exploration Drilling and trenching, doesn't apply to me

Part F Suction Dredging Finally me! Just says to make sure you listed your equipment in Section 20

A question if you will about the temporary structures, when you say you "removed them when you abandoned the claims" are you talking about removing them every year or when you left the claim for good?

Also what is a state mining support claim? My claims are on State land??
I am looking at this long term, 10 years minimum, what would be the chances of them allowing me to get a shipping container put on the claim?

Sorry for some of my questions, only way I know to learn!
Thanks

Easygoer

[Geowizard]

Easy goer,

If you have prospected, you KNOW where the GOLD is and what you have to do to mine it. If you bought mining claims without prospecting, then you need to do some prospecting. No GOLD, you don't need a cabin, container or settling pond.

After having done the prospecting, AND finding GOLD, you can develop a rational mining plan. DNR, Mining Land and Water is the best place to get official answers to your questions.

- Geowizard

[chickenminer]

Easy goer ...
It isn't rocket science. Just fill it out to the best of your ability. If you have questions call the mining section
at DNR. You can also request a copy of a currently filed APMA for dredging.
The APMA application usually has an example mine plan narrative to go by.
Any structure on State land is going to have to be approved.

Good luck!

[Micropedes1]

Easy Goer, our claim structures were simply the frame structure to which we attached plastic sheeting so that we could work on equipment, out of the rain. We also cooked, ate, and slept in them. But the roof, being only plastic, would not bear the annual snow load and would need replacing each season. But it kept the weather out and the skeeters largely at bay. They remained intact over the winter, although some repairs were always necessary. When we moved on, it was a simple matter to use a chainsaw to cut into firewood, burn, and clean the campsite. The only evidence that we left behind was the fire ring.

Rather than bring everything that we owned down onto the river claims, we had a support claim for fuel and equipment storage up on an access road (claims were 30 miles inland). We also built a more permanent structure there and even poured concrete for the clean up shed. It was necessary for the table that we were using at the time. When we moved on, we cleaned the site, right now to breaking and removing the concrete.

If you use water, either for camp use with a pump in the river, or run it thru a dredge, you are required to file the water use permit. I never did quite understand why it was necessary when it was used on an in-stream dredge only to power a pump. Suck it up, run it thru a sluice, and put it back into the river. But get caught running without the permit and you'll be in trouble. Reclamation with a dredge is pretty much a no-brainer; your tailings fill your hole as you work upstream. Just keep it leveled as you move along and you'll have no problems.

By the way, you are required to contact the DNR office annually, either in person or by phone, and let them know exactly what you will be doing during the upcoming season, mainly concerning changes. Got chastised for forgetting when we moved to a new section of the river and did not update the office. You WILL get inspected on some of the more popular rivers, but it is usually BLM telling you where you can or cannot pitch camp. Wild and Scenic River designations have some crazy regulations that go with them. Your latrine might be a half mile from the camp, per their regs.

[Micropedes1]

Dick, correct me if I am wrong, but fuel storage on a claims has had some more stringent requirements added in the last few years. Bermed storage area, lined with plastic for easy spill clean up and to prevent any soil contamination. All metal fuel containers, except for the plastic 5 gallon transport containers.

I got cited for having a half dozen full 5 gallon cans sitting on a tarp (no berm). They really fussed about the empty one sitting on the ground in camp. Had to bring in an all-metal 55 gallon barrel with pump to satisfy them.

I bet you know of the land-man that did all the hell raising. He's rather infamous in your area.

[easy goer]

Everyone,

Thanks for all the help! Never having filled one of these out I am not sure exactly what they were asking for. I know there is GOLD there. Active claims that I am taking over. I will definitely ask for a copy of a completed APMA for dredging, will clear up some of the gray areas. Good to know Mining section of DNR will help. My only dealings have been with BLM in CO, answer to nearly any question was no, until you could prove otherwise. I would think if someone is willing to risk their capital the government agencies would encourage or at least not hinder you!
The fuel can issue is a good example. The application only asks if you will have a lined berm around the fuel cans as if it is an option. BLM does allow you to store 5 gallon cans in plastic pans(bus pans) for spill containment.
I would like to not run afoul of the law if possible! I figure there will be enough of a learning curve involved in the actual operations much less screwing up the paperwork.

Thanks for the feedback. More questions to follow!!

Easygoer