All prospecting, sampling and mining activity counts toward assesment work. I have been told that other work on the claim such as road maint., brushing out for access, cleanup, etc. also qualifies, but someone else will have to verify.

BLM has a formula to set what the going $$ per hour rate is for assesment work is.

As far as I know the small miner waiver fee is in lieu of assesment work.

Keep a log of the amount of time you and your friends and family spend on the claim. Take photos of before and after and make sure you take photos of damage caused by somebody else that you spent the time to clean up, especially trash left by others. ANYTHING you can do to prove you are a steward of the land is beneficial.

ALL of the labor should be for the betterment of the claim. The difference between what is authorized assessment work and assessment work that would be in the making of a defective affidavit of labor / Proof of Labor would be in this wording which shows an intent. Betterment of a claim is when you are doing improvements that go toward finding a profitable mineral source on a claim. This goes back to the idea of holding and working a claim for profit and fits in with the requirements for patent, following the 1st half within 10 days information concerning the character, quality, quantity, and marketing of the mineral or minerals claimed for discovery, the examination shall proceed to patent. 

The labor on improvements to roads and paths to claim areas where it is suspected that a new mineral deposit may exist is also authorized, both on and off the claim. This should also involve time to exploration for the hidden minerals and movement of overburden. The exploration can go into the next year. When road improvements or building involve significant disturbance it could put you into a need for a Plan of Operation. If you do not have a Plan it should be kept at a casual use level. This is a large part of why owning a mining claim can not be for recreation, although if you like your work that you do in the hopes to receive a  profit is enjoyable to you that is a plus. A woodworker that builds items to sell and make a living and enjoyment still does it for profit.

Hope this helps   

I posted similar questions on Facebooks, Gold Claim Owners page.

I got loads of links to various BLM and state versions of requirements and examples of work for the assessment form. The annual assessment form has to be filled out whether or not you file for the small miner waiver or not.

The funniest thing is you can not pay / list yourself to do the assessment work each year on your own claim!

The Small claims miner waiver is good only if you own 10 or less deeded claims, this exempts you from paying the $155 per year per claim. I'm at 7 so I'm good so far.

 

I wrote an article on "Understanding Assessment Work of you Claim" this was in the December - January 2017 Pick and Shovel. This shows what the intent of assessment work is and explains what is approved. Citations given to back up analysis and yes the owner / locators are allowed to do the assessment work every year or they can assign it to be done. There are certain types of assessment work that must be done by a person with proper credentials but typically no. The intent was and is that the work is authorized or done by owner with the intent of  improvements to the claim in terms specifically to benefit the claim. The understanding of this is or can be learned within the article.

Excellent update thanks.  I haven't got my issue yet, won't be back in the USA until mid April.

I thought the interweb advise I read that you personally could not do the annual maintenance work sounded like BS.

 

 

I use $15.00 per hour on the labor and have never been questioned. That's what the liberals want for a minimum wage.

Thanks for the replys