Rapid Creek Watershed Area Maps
A Future Recreation Area! The Rapid Creek Watershed Above Rapid City
The 1872 Mining Law
Why do we need this Mineral Withdrawal? A mineral withdrawal removes specific areas of public lands from the application of the General Mining Law of 1872. The archaic law allows mining interests to develop mines and remove minerals—including gold, silver, copper and nickel—on any public land open to its operation for free.
For the latest National efforts to "Reform the Mining Law of 1872" heard by the House Natural Resource Committee on May 12, 2022 click HERE.
Why do we need this Mineral Withdrawal? A mineral withdrawal removes specific areas of public lands from the application of the General Mining Law of 1872. The archaic law allows mining interests to develop mines and remove minerals—including gold, silver, copper and nickel—on any public land open to its operation for free.
For the latest National efforts to "Reform the Mining Law of 1872" heard by the House Natural Resource Committee on May 12, 2022 click HERE.
Gold Mining Claims in the Black Hills
F3 Gold (red) has almost 2500 claims.
Mineral Mountain Resources (yellow) has claims on approximately 7500 acres.
Mineral Mountain Resources (yellow) has claims on approximately 7500 acres.
The Rapid Creek watershed west of Rapid City in the Black Hills is approximately 198,000 acres. And about 47,000 acres of that watershed have been claimed by gold companies. In other words, almost a quarter of the watershed – 73 square miles – has the potential to be involved in further exploration and mining operations.
Almost a quarter of the Rapid Creek watershed upstream from Rapid City is subject to gold mining claims.
