chuckwalla Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 I'm going to be in AZ this weekend and I think I've found a good spot that allows for prospecting. Since it's my first time detecting, I wanted to make sure I've done my due diligence. The spot is Saddle Mountain, AZ. General coordinates: 33.445615°, -113.013318° I have verified that this is BLM land, and that it's not a wilderness area, and that it's not within a National Monument. I've checked on landmatters to verify that there aren't any active claims on the area (although there are historic claims, which I hope is a good sign). Is there any other research I need to do? I know there are some petroglyphs on the site, and I'd stay far away from those, but other than that, most of the mountain looks pretty open. BLM maps screenshot Land matters screenshot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanursepaul Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Looks like lots of water moves thru there during the monsoon season.... go for a walk about and dont swing high and wide like I do.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SG CT Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 You might be able to obtain more info by contacting an AZ BLM office listed on the BLM web site: https://www.blm.gov/office/arizona-state-office Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Diggins Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 To determine land status in Arizona you will want to use the Land Matters Arizona Land Status map - not the mining claims map. The Arizona Land Status map will provide you with every land status issue with a single click on the map in your area of interest. Not just mining claims and wilderness areas but all land status is presented. It includes withdrawals of all kinds, leases, permits, grazing, ACECs, Surveys, CDIs, mining plans and notices, patents and more than a dozen other status categories. It even presents mineral and surface ownership on forest and state lands which you won't find on the BLM. It truly is all inclusive. The mining claims maps are very popular, many thousands of maps an hour are provided to Land Matters users, but they only feature mining claims. There is a lot more to land status than mining claims and management agencies. For the particular area you are interested in you should probably be aware that the State of Arizona believes some of the minerals on the BLM managed land are owned by them. You can see those areas on the map by turning on the "Arizona State Mineral Ownership" map layer. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckwalla Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Clay Diggins said: To determine land status in Arizona you will want to use the Land Matters Arizona Land Status map - not the mining claims map. The Arizona Land Status map will provide you with every land status issue with a single click on the map in your area of interest. Not just mining claims and wilderness areas but all land status is presented. It includes withdrawals of all kinds, leases, permits, grazing, ACECs, Surveys, CDIs, mining plans and notices, patents and more than a dozen other status categories. It even presents mineral and surface ownership on forest and state lands which you won't find on the BLM. It truly is all inclusive. The mining claims maps are very popular, many thousands of maps an hour are provided to Land Matters users, but they only feature mining claims. There is a lot more to land status than mining claims and management agencies. For the particular area you are interested in you should probably be aware that the State of Arizona believes some of the minerals on the BLM managed land are owned by them. You can see those areas on the map by turning on the "Arizona State Mineral Ownership" map layer. This is extremely helpful - thanks for pointing me in the right direction. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Diggins Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Saddle Mountain has an interesting greenstone exposure on it's southeast slope. Might be worth a look see. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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