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Digital databases containing mining claim density information for Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming created from the BLM Mining Claim Recordation System: 1996

Metadata also available as - [Questions & Answers] - [Parseable text] - [XML]

Metadata:

Identification_Information
Data_Quality_Information
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
Distribution_Information
Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Paul C. Hyndman

Originator: Harry W. Campbell

Publication_Date: 19990525

Title:

Digital databases containing mining claim density information for Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming created from the BLM Mining Claim Recordation System: 1996

Edition: Version 1.0

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: database

Series_Information:

Series_Name: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report
Issue_Identification: 99-325

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Menlo Park, CA
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey

Online_Linkage: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1999/of99-325/>

Description:

Abstract:

The mining claim density data is contained in 13 databases in Open-File Report 99-325.
Each database was created from data obtained in March, 1997, from the Mining Claim Recordation System of the Bureau of Land Management. The data was analyzed, manipulated, and summarized into a database providing mining claim density information. Each database quantifies the status of mining claim activity on federal land within a state for 1996 and includes information on past mining claim activity on federal land since 1976. A database contains information identifying 1) the general location of mining claims within the Public Land Survey (PLS) system, 2) the number and type of claims (lode, placer, mill site, tunnel site) and 3) the status of the claims in 1976 (open is held, closed is no longer held by a claimant). Other terms used by BLM for closed claims are "Abandoned and Void" and "Void by Operation of the Law". According to BLM, new terminology for "Open" will be "Recorded" and for "Closed" will be "Terminated and Closed".
There is one database for each of the following 13 states. Each database is in dBase 3 and ascii text formats:

Arizona          blm_az.dbf      blm_az.txt
California       blm_ca.dbf      blm_ca.txt
Colorado         blm_co.dbf      blm_co.txt
Idaho            blm_id.dbf      blm_id.txt
Montana          blm_mt.dbf      blm_mt.txt
Nebraska         blm_ne.dbf      blm_ne.txt
Nevada           blm_nv.dbf      blm_nv.txt
New Mexico       blm_nm.dbf      blm_nm.txt
Oregon           blm_or.dbf      blm_or.txt
South Dakota     blm_sd.dbf      blm_sd.txt
Utah             blm_ut.dbf      blm_ut.txt
Washington       blm_wa.dbf      blm_wa.txt
Wyoming          blm_wy.dbf      blm_wy.txt

Purpose:

These databases were developed to provide mining claim information to quantify and qualify mining claim activity on federal lands in the western states. The information can be used in a geographic information system (GIS) and should be useful in researching interrelationships of mining claim activity with physical and social science concerns. The data are intended to be attached to a digital PLS of a state.
The data are not to be considered as legal descriptions of the Public Land Surveys or of mining claims and their boundaries.

Supplemental_Information: This data is in dBase 3 and ascii text formats.

Data_Set_Structure:

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_az.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of Arizona from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_ca.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of California from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_co.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of Colorado from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_id.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of Idaho from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_mt.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of Montana from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_ne.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information of Nebraska from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_nv.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of Nevada from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_nm.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of New Mexico from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_or.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of Oregon from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_sd.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of South Dakota from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_ut.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of Utah from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_wa.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of Washington from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Data_Set_Part:

Part_Type: dBase 3 database
Part_Name: blm_wy.dbf
Part_Description:: This database contains mine claim density information for federal land in the State of Wyoming from 1976 through 1996, based on data provided by the BLM in 1997.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 1976
Ending_Date: 199703

Currentness_Reference:

Release date of data by the Bureau of Land Management in March, 1997

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -125
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -102
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 49
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 31

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: none
Theme_Keyword: mining claim density
Theme_Keyword: lode
Theme_Keyword: placer
Theme_Keyword: mill site
Theme_Keyword: tunnel site
Theme_Keyword: mine claim

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Arizona
Place_Keyword: California
Place_Keyword: Colorado
Place_Keyword: Idaho
Place_Keyword: Montana
Place_Keyword: Nebraska
Place_Keyword: New Mexico
Place_Keyword: Nevada
Place_Keyword: Oregon
Place_Keyword: South Dakota
Place_Keyword: Utah
Place_Keyword: Washington
Place_Keyword: Wyoming

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Geologic Map Database Catalog themes, augmented
Theme_Keyword: 1400 - Resources
Theme_Keyword: 1401 - Metals
Theme_Keyword: 1402 - Nonmetals

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Categories
Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Augmented FIPS 10-4 and FIPS 6-4, version 1.0
Place_Keyword: US04 = Arizona
Place_Keyword: US06 = California
Place_Keyword: US08 = Colorado
Place_Keyword: US16 = Idaho
Place_Keyword: US30 = Montana
Place_Keyword: US31 = Nebraska
Place_Keyword: US32 = Nevada
Place_Keyword: US35 = New Mexico
Place_Keyword: US41 = Oregon
Place_Keyword: US46 = South Dakota
Place_Keyword: US49 = Utah
Place_Keyword: US53 = Washington
Place_Keyword: US56 = Wyoming

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

The U.S. Geological Survey makes no warranties related to the accuracy of the data and users are required to determine suitability of use for any particular purpose. These digital databases are not meant to be construed as legal representations of mining claim boundaries. The information in the database does not provide the legal location or status of individual mining claims.
The user must obtain current information on mining claims from the State Office of the Bureau of Land Management for the area of interest since the mine claim density data is not current.
Any hardcopies utilizing this data set shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way they are obligated to describe the types of modifications they have performed on the hardcopy map. User specifically agrees not to misrepresent this data set, nor to imply that changes they made were approved by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Pamela D Derkey
Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, GEO-WRG-MRS

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address
Address: W 904 Riverside Avenue
City: Spokane
State_or_Province: WA
Postal_Code: 99201
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 509-368-3114

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 509-368-3199

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pderkey@usgs.gov

Data_Set_Credit:

Cheryl Laudenbach, Denver Service Center, BLM, provided the mining claim data from the Mining Claim Recordation Database.

Native_Data_Set_Environment: Windows95, Pentium PC, dBase 3

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:: The attributes of the mining claim data from BLM data, claims per section, do not represent the exact number of claims in each section. Some claims overlap into adjoining sections and/or townships. In order to count each claim only once, it was necessary to choose one section for each claim to be identified with. Therefore, the first section listed in the BLM database for a particular claim was chosen as the section the claim was counted in.
The accuracy was tested by summing each category of claim in the mining claim database and comparing the sum to those from the original BLM database. The sums for each category matched.
No attempt was made to determine the accuracy of BLM's database.

Completeness_Report:

None of the data from BLM was omitted. The data is considered complete for the purpose of determining mining claim density in this state.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

The data set is a derived subset of the original BLM data. No modifications to the BLM data were made.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:: A claim may be within a section or it may straddle two, three, or four sections. In order to count each claim only once, it was necessary to choose one section for each claim to be identified with. Therefore, the first section listed in the BLM database for a particular claim was chosen as the section the claim was counted in. Interested persons should contact BLM for detailed information on mine claim locations and dimensions.

Lineage:

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:: Bureau of Land Management, Denver Federal Center, Colorado - Cheryl Laudenbach
Title: This data does not have a title
Publication_Date: 199703
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular database

Type_of_Source_Media: 9-track tape

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 1976
Ending_Date: 199703

Source_Currentness_Reference:

The data was copied from BLM's MCRD database on March, 1997. The data is cumulative from 1976, when the database was created.

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: BLM MCRD, 1997

Source_Contribution:

The BLM, through Cheryl Laudenbach, contributed the mining claim data of the State. The data included

Process_Step:

Process_Description:: The detailed process steps are described in the U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 96-736 by Harry W. Campbell. An example of the use of the data is in Open-File Report OF 96-737 by Campbell and Hyndman.
To summarize the process, the BLM data was brought into dBase, separated into 4 sub-databases, then massaged and summarized with several dBase programs to produce a mining claim density database. A unique field, MTRS, was created to enable the data to be joined to a digital PLS of a State. The State PLS digital file will also have to have the MTRS field created in order to properly connect the data.
Process_Date: 1997-1998

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: blm_XX.dbf
Entity_Type_Definition:: Summary of values for number and type of mining claims in each section. The data is tied to an MTRS code which represents the Meridian + Township + Range + Section. This code provides a unique identifier for each Section of the PLS.
Entity_Type_Definition_Source:: The Bureau of Land Management is the official source for PLS designations and surveys and for the mining claim data.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: MTRS

Attribute_Definition:

A concatenation of Meridian, Township, Range, and Section of the PLS

Attribute_Definition_Source: Bureau of Land Management

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value:

MTRS is an 18-character field which is a concatenation of meridian (M), Township (T), township direction (D), range (R), range direction (E), and section (S). The form of the field is MMTTT.TDRRR.RESS__. The last two spaces were included in the beginning of the study but were not utilized.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

MM = the FIPS code for meridian. FIPS stands for the Federal Information Processing Standard. The codes for the meridians are:

06 - 6th Principal
07 - Black Hills
08 - Boise
14 - Gila & Salt River
15 - Humboldt
20 - Principal
21 - Mount Diablo
22 - Navajo
23 - New Mexico
26 - Salt Lake
27 - San Bernardino
30 - Uintah
31 - Ute
33 - Willamette
34 - Wind River

TTT.T = BLM Township designation as 'TTT.T' may include a fraction of a Township. For example, Township 1 would be '__1.0'. Township 27 1/2 would be '_27.2'. The underscore represents a blank space. The 'TTT.2' represents the 1/2 township.
D = BLM Township direction may be North (N) or South (S).
RRR.R = BLM Range designation as 'RRR.R' which may include a fraction of a Range. See Township (T) for example. The Oregon database also contains a 3/4 Range which is represented by 'RRR.3'.
E = BLM Range direction may be East (E) or West (W).
SS = BLM Section number. For example, section 1 is '_1' and section 35 is '35'. Generally the highest section number is 36, but there are exceptions in several States.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NOLC

Attribute_Definition:

Number of Open (or recorded) Lode Claims within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 194

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NOPC

Attribute_Definition:

Number of Open (or recorded) Placer Claims within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 64

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NOMC

Attribute_Definition:

Number of Open (or recorded) Mill site Claims within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 132

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NOTC

Attribute_Definition:

Number of Open (or recorded) Tunnel site Claims within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 20

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: TOC

Attribute_Definition:

Total number of Open (or recorded) Claims of all types within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 194

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NCLC

Attribute_Definition:

Number of Closed (or terminated and closed) Lode Claims within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 908

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NCPC

Attribute_Definition:

Number of Closed (or terminated and closed) Placer Claims within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 115

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NCMC

Attribute_Definition:

Number of Closed (or terminated and closed) Mill site Claims within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 227

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NCTC

Attribute_Definition:

Number of Closed (or terminated and closed) Tunnel site Claims within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 35

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: TCC

Attribute_Definition:

Total number of Closed (or terminated and closed) Claims of all types within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 991

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: TC

Attribute_Definition:

Total number of all Claims of all types within a section

Attribute_Definition_Source: Hyndman and Campbell, 1999

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 1010

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: (blank)
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: zero

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

Actual maximum values for each attribute vary by state according to the following table:

 Attribute     NOLC NOPC NOMC NOTC  TOC NCLC NCPC NCMC NCTC  TCC   TC
 Arizona         67   38  117    1  129  172  104  144   12  235  254
 California     194   64  132    4  194  241  109  192    3  241  313
 Colorado       161   28   60    2  164  153   74  117    5  188  217
 Idaho          147   36   80    1  182  908  115  155    7  991 1010
 Montana         60   45  127    2  159  165   64  156    4  117  189
 Nebraska         3    0    0    0    3   45    0    0    0   45   45
 Nevada         194   64  132    4  194  241  109  192    3  241  313
 New Mexico      69   26   39   20   93  180   84  114   12  180  180
 Oregon          77   36   32    5  110  148  102   32   35  226  336
 South Dakota    37   19    0    0   40  177   55   64   21  177  210
 Utah            84   25  121    1  121  213   68  227    6  293  293
 Washington      78   25   49    6   89  152   35   15    3  152  165
 Wyoming         48   33  122    0  125  125   97  135    1  174  185

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: USGS Open-File Report 99-325

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey Information Services

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address:: Open-File Reports
Box 2586
City: Denver
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80225
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1-303-202-4200

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 1-303-202-4693

Resource_Description: USGS Open-File Report 99-325

Distribution_Liability:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides this data "as is." The USGS makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of information contained in the geographic data. The USGS further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to any other matter whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of the product, or its fitness for any particular purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. Although this data has been processed successfully on computers at the USGS, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS regarding the use of this data on any other system, nor does the fact of distribution constitute or imply any such warranty.
In no event shall the USGS have any liability whatsoever for payment of any consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or tort damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, any loss of profits arising out of use of or reliance on the geographic data or arising out of the delivery, installation, operation, or support by the USGS.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: dBase
Format_Version_Number: 3
Format_Information_Content: Mine claim density for each PLS section
File_Decompression_Technique: unzip
Transfer_Size: 1.9 megabytes

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: <http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1999/of99-325/of99-325.zip>

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: Text
Format_Specification:: Fixed-format text records. Identifier in first 18 characters, followed by eleven data fields, each 4 characters wide. Empty fields are blank.
Format_Information_Content: Mine claim density for each PLS section
File_Decompression_Technique: unzip
Transfer_Size: 1.9 megabytes

Digital_Transfer_Option: