Message from the Minister

Ontario is endowed with some of the richest

mineral deposits in the world. The Ministry

of Northern Development and Mines is

committed to promoting the exploration and

development of these resources for the

benefit of prospectors and the economy.

Staking a mining claim is one of the first

steps of the exploration process and the

entire mining sequence. Clear provincial

regulations are in place that must be

followed to acquire sound and secure land

tenure and title to mineral rights.

This booklet has been prepared specifically to help make that process easier. Here,

you will find all the information you need to know about staking a claim. It will

take you from the preparation stage to completing and submitting an application to

record a mining claim.

It also lists Ministry offices throughout Northern Ontario where you can get

information, publications and even Internet access to view claim maps. Whether

you’re a new prospector just getting started, or a veteran of the Ontario prospecting

community, I hope you will find it a valuable resource.

We recognize the importance of the mines and minerals sector to the continued

prosperity of Ontario and are committed to creating favourable conditions for

exploration and development. Let us help you unearth the opportunities.

The Honourable Tim Hudak

Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines

A GUIDE TO STAKING MINING CLAIMS

Table of Contents

1. What is a Mining Claim? ..................................................................................... 1

2. Mining Claim Boundaries .................................................................................... 2

3. Claim Tags ........................................................................................................ 3

4. Claim Posts ....................................................................................................... 4

5. Preparation ....................................................................................................... 5

6. Tools of the Trade .............................................................................................. 6

7. General Staking Information ................................................................................ 7

8. Staking in Designated Areas ................................................................................ 8

9. Staking Lands Open for Less than 24 Hours ........................................................... 9

10. Staking A Single-Unit Claim (Lands Open More than 24 Hours) ............................... 10

11. Staking A Multiple-Unit Claim............................................................................ 11a) Some Configurations of a Multiple-Unit Claim

12. Staking with a Helper ....................................................................................... 13

13. Use of Line Posts ............................................................................................. 14

14. Witnessing Claim Corners .................................................................................. 15a) Witnessing One Claim Cornerb) Witnessing Two Claim Cornersc) Witnessing Onto Inaccessible Surface Rights

15. Use of Common Posts ....................................................................................... 18

16. Irregularly Shaped Claims ................................................................................. 19a) Tying Onto Surveyed and Unsurveyed Boundariesb) Water Boundaries

17. Staking in Subdivided Townships ....................................................................... 21a) Line Post Tag Inscriptions on Irregular Boundaries

18. Applying to Record a Mining Claim ..................................................................... 23a) Examples of Completed Forms

19. MNDM Contacts ............................................................................................... 36

This guide summarizes the regulations of the Mining Act of Ontario as of March 1999 with respect to the staking andrecording of mining claims. It is intended for information only and is not a legal document. The complete regulationsappear in the Mining Act RSO / RRO 1990 as amended. For a detailed explanation of these requirements please contactthe Provincial Mining Recorder. For a copy of the Act and Regulations, please contact Publications Ontario, 50 GrosvenorStreet, Toronto ON M5A 1N8. Telephone: 1-800-668-9938.

1

1. WHAT IS A MINING CLAIM?

In Ontario, Crown lands are available toprospectors for mining exploration. A licensedprospector must first stake a “mining claim” togain the exclusive right to prospect on Crownland.

A mining claim is a square or rectangular area ofopen Crown land or Crown mineral rights that alicensed prospector marks out with a series ofclaim posts and blazed lines. A claim can rangein size from 16 hectares (a 1-unit claim) to 256hectares (a 16-unit claim).

The sketch in Figure 1 shows mining claims asthey could appear on a claim map available forpurchase from the Provincial Recording Office orvia the Internet. While each mining claim maylook simple and straightforward on a map, theprocess of staking out a claim is fairly involved.

The following pages and illustrations areintended to help you understand what theOntario Mining Act requires you to do to properlystake out a mining claim.

While many situations you will encounter arecovered in the examples, you should also readthe most recent Mining Act and Regulation forfull reference. Please note that for ease ofreference, the examples provided have beensimplified. Often the staking of your claim willbe made more complex by geography; existingsurface rights, patents, leases or claims; oradjacent boundaries of lands not open forstaking. You are advised to review the claim mapin advance and consult with your local MiningLands Consultant or the Provincial MiningRecorder if you are unsure of any aspect ofclaim staking.

Figure 1

2

2. MINING CLAIM BOUNDARIESStaking Regulation, Section 8 (4-6)

Mining claims are staked in a square orrectangular shape with boundaries runningnorth, south, east and west astronomically. Yourcompass will need to be set using the magneticdeclination shown on topographic maps. After aclaim post is erected, a clearly marked trail(claim line) is established, leading to where youintend to erect the next corner or line post. Aproper claim line is one that is easy to spot andto follow. The usual method for marking claimboundaries is with an axe to cut blazes intotrees and to cut underbrush. There is anexception to this rule in areas designated bythe Minister (see Staking in Designated Areas onpage 8). Blazes are cut into two sides of a treeand face the direction of the line. If trees arenot available, you must erect pickets (cut from

A proper claim line is one that is easy to spot and to follow.

smaller trees) or pile loose rock rubble intocairns. Failure to mark out your claim properlycan lead to problems such as:

• Boundary conflicts when someone over stakesyour claim;

• Disputes that could lead to the loss of yourclaim and investment; or

• Increased legal survey costs if you take yourclaim to lease.

Coloured flagging tape is NOT a substitute forblazing. Flagging tape is not durable and tendsto disintegrate and break down within a year ortwo. Your local Mining Lands Consultant orProvincial Mining Recorder can advise you whenit is appropriate to use flagging tape.

Figure 2

3

3. CLAIM TAGSStaking Regulation, Sections 15-17

Claim Corner Post Tags (sold in sets of four) areaffixed by nails to each corner post. The number(4) in the top right-hand corner of the tag atleft indicates which corner post the tag is to beplaced on. The lower number (1237510)identifies your claim on a claim map and in therecords of the Provincial Mining Recorder after itis accepted for recording. Tag material isaluminum or another metal alloy.

The tags are always placed as follows:

No. 1 on the northeast corner post;No. 2 on the southeast corner post;No. 3 on the southwest corner post; andNo. 4 on the northwest corner post.

Claim Line Post Tags are affixed to all lineposts. The claim number, distance and directionfrom the last corner post erected is inscribed orscratched into the coating of the tags. An extrafine ballpoint pen or a sharp nail can be used tomark the tags.

Line Post Tags are available in round andrectangular formats and are made of redanodized aluminum foil.

Figure 3

4

4. CLAIM POSTSStaking Regulation, Section 14

Claim posts are used to establish the boundariesof your mining claim. Every claim post used forstaking a mining claim must stand 1.2 metresabove the ground when erected; be squared orfaced on four sides for 30 centimetres from thetop; and be squared or faced for 10 centimetresacross each side.

The post can be constructed from a standingtree, commercial timber or a loose post. A postconstructed from a standing tree (stump post) ispreferable. A loose post, however, is unavoidablewhen there is no standing timber of proper sizenear the spot where you must establish a corneror in areas where special staking rules apply,i.e. areas designated by the Minister. If a loose

post is used, it should be erected in a stonecairn.

Corner posts are erected at the four maincorners. Line posts are erected at 400-metreintervals along the perimeter of the miningclaim and at points where the boundaries changedirection. Witness posts are used to referencecorners where it is not possible to erect a post(i.e. when a claim covers water).

NOTE: You must erect newly constructed claimposts each time you stake. You cannot use anold post. See page 18 for a description of whencommon posts can be used.

1.2

met

res

30 cm

minim

um

Com

mer

cial

4 x

4 t

imbe

r

post in stone cairn

10 cm

Figure 4

10 cm

5

5. PREPARATION

Don’t forget to get a prospector’s licence.Application forms are available on the Internetand the licence can be purchased from theProvincial Recording Office. You must be at least18 years of age to obtain a prospecting licencein Ontario and you must provide identificationwith your birthdate and signature.

The illustrated examples that follow on pages 9 -22 are simplified explanations of the process ofstaking a mining claim. Please bear in mind,however, that staking is far from a “walk in thepark”. Equip yourself properly by bringing thefollowing:

• Good sharp axe and a file to sharpen it;• Compass with declination settings (bringing

a spare is also recommended);• Small emergency first aid kit;• Supply of high energy food;• Maps enclosed in a waterproof bag;• Nails for use in attaching claim tags

(1” nails are the most commonly used);• Watch; and• Waterproof notebook and pencils.

Carrying a good notebook is essential. You willneed to keep track of the date and time youerected a post, the metal tag numbers of claimsyou tied onto, and the distances at which yourclaim line crosses a stream, river, road, etc.

In addition to equipping yourself properly, youmust be in good physical condition and have aplan for your day’s work that is based on yourskill and abilities. Of equal importance is athorough knowledge of wilderness first aid andsurvival skills. When asked how long it wouldtake to become a good claim staker, one oldprospector replied, “It will take you one year tolearn how to stake a claim and five years tolearn how to walk in the bush.” When stakingyour first claims, expect to take a full day tostake one 16-hectare claim.

Also remember that the Mining Act requires thatall staking must be completed as a continuousaction. Continuous action is defined as stakingthat is completed with no significantinterruption. The length of acceptableinterruptions may vary from case to case,depending on circumstances. You cannot,however, start a claim one weekend, return toyour day job and complete staking the nextweekend.

Remember:• Equip yourself properly.• Be in good physical condition.• Plan your work to match your skills and

ability.• Be familiar with wilderness first aid and

survival skills.• Complete all staking as a continuous

action.• Always let someone know where you are

going and when you plan to return.• Take your time and do a good job.

6

6. Tools of the Trade

Tags

Sharp axe

Don’t forget to get a prospector’s licence.

WatchNotebook, to keep a record ofdates, times, distances, etc.

withdeclinationsetting

Compass

Sturdy boots

70 - 75 cm handle- 1 kg head

Graphite pencil(large head)

Up-to-date claim mapfrom the ProvincialRecording Office.You should also use

topographic maps andaerial photographs.

Nails1” common orroofing nailscan be used toattach tags to posts

and graphite lumber crayonfor post inscriptions

Figure 5

7

7. GENERAL STAKING INFORMATION

Most good mineral prospects are not found in apark-like setting. Your staking activities will beaffected by rough terrain, extra thick bush,swamps, deep snow, local magnetic anomaliesthat draw your compass off, or bugs that areespecially fierce. Welcome to the life of aprospector.

For the above reasons and many more, you willnever stake a claim which is perfectly square.Being perfectly square, however, is notnecessarily the measure of a good mining claim.A good claim is:

• One that is accurately shown on the sketchthat you submit to the Provincial MiningRecorder;

• As close as possible to the size and shapeyou intended to stake; and

• Well-marked and easy to find.

All of which is possible to do if you prepareyourself properly.

Even for an experienced prospector, the bestefforts using a compass for direction and pacingfor distance are not always enough to ensure agood accurate claim. Short of hiring aprofessional staker to do it for you, pleaseconsider the following:

Maps: Get the best maps available. In additionto the most current claim map from theProvincial Recording Office, you should also buy

topographic maps which may have more detailon roads. Scales vary; the 1:20,000, 1:50,000and 1:100,000 scales are most useful. Manyoutdoor and camping equipment suppliers willhave these maps as well as aerial photographsfor sale or available through special order.Timber companies working in the area may alsohave maps that show their most recent haulroads and access trails. Be sure to note themagnetic declination (the variation betweentrue north and magnetic north) for the area youplan to stake. This will be needed in the field tostake astronomic north, south, east and westboundaries.

Topography: Each time you come to a lake,river, stream, road, railway, highway and anyother physical feature, you can confirm orcorrect the location of your mining claim. Usethese features to establish your start point andtry to “tie onto” (record the distance to) otherknown features as you go along. Surveyedcorners for a township line or private propertycan also be used in this manner. Always recordthis information in your field notebook and showit on your Application to Record sketch.

Measurement: Counting your steps (pacing) isoften inaccurate when you encounter hillyterrain or dense bush. Instead, use a hip chainfor measurement. These devices are available atoutdoor supply stores and are worn at the waist.The unit uses a thin thread wound over acounter to measure off distance as you walk. Ifyou are up on the latest technology, look intothe use of a global positioning system (GPS).

8

8. STAKING IN DESIGNATED AREAS

Special provisions apply in designated areas toprotect environmentally sensitive lands. Theseareas have been designated by the Minister ofNorthern Development and Mines and areidentified on claim maps. Verify your locationwith the Provincial Recording Office to confirmif the land you plan on staking is within adesignated area. If staking in a designated area,be sure to follow the provisions listed below:

• If there are standing trees in the area thatis being staked, trees on the perimeter ofthat area shall not be blazed, and theperimeter shall be clearly marked by securelyaffixing durable flagging tape to the trees orby painting them on two sides in thedirection of travel.

• If there are standing trees in the area beingstaked, the perimeter of the area beingstaked shall not be marked by the cutting ofunderbrush.

• Flagging, painting, pickets or monuments(stone cairns) shall not be used to mark theshoreline perimeter of an area being staked.

• Claim posts, witness posts and line postsshall be set back from the shorelineperimeter of an area being staked so thatthey cannot be seen from the water.

• No standing trees of any type in the areabeing staked shall be cut, pruned ordelimbed for staking purposes.

• There shall be no claim posts, witness posts,line posts, line blazing or any otherevidence of staking on islands within adesignated area.

9

9. STAKING LANDS OPEN FOR LESS THAN 24 HOURSStaking Regulation, Section 10 (2)

Quite often when areas of high interest comeopen to staking, two or more parties maycompete for the same area. To keep order in thecompetition, the Mining Act has rules for stakingwhich specifically apply to the first 24 hoursthat the land is open. These rules must bestrictly adhered to.

The area of land shown as an example in Figure6 has just been opened to staking. For a claimstaked in the first 24 hours that the land isopen:

• Staking must not begin before 8:00 amStandard time (for the time zone you are in)on the day the land comes open for staking.

• Staking must be started at the No. 1 (NE)corner post and then proceed in a clockwisedirection ending back at the No. 1 corner.

• Only the recording licensee can erect, tagand inscribe the posts.

• The date and time you start and the dateand time of completion must be inscribed onthe No. 1 post.

• Helpers may blaze claim lines but only afterthe lands are open and the staking hascommenced.

• Helpers may construct “loose” claim postsbut must not erect, tag or inscribe theseposts.

• A helper may NOT construct a stump post asthat constitutes “erecting” a post.

NOTE: Multiple unit claims staked in the first 24hours are also subject to these rules. Typical linepost inscriptions for multiple unit stakings areshown on pages 11, 14, 18 and 19.

400m

400m

400m 40

0m

4 1

23

N

astr

onom

ic4

1234567

Archie RossM1659812:05pm 23/08/96

2

1234567

Archie RossM165989:45am23/08/96

Archie RossM1659811:17am23/08/96

1

1234567

Archie RossM16598start 8:00am 23/08/96completion 2:15pm23/08/96

3

1234567

You are required to START and FINISH stakingat the No. 1 (NE) corner post.

South face

West face

North face

East face

blazed line

blaz

edlin

e

blazed line

blaz

edlin

e

blaze

Figure 6

10

10. STAKING A SINGLE-UNIT CLAIM(Lands open more than 24 hours)

Staking Regulation, Sections 2 (1, 4-8), 8, 9, 10, 14, 15 and 16

If the area to be staked has been open for morethan 24 hours, you may start staking at anycorner or line post and proceed in either aclockwise or counter-clockwise direction. InFigure 7, a prospector is staking a single-unit(16-hectare) claim, starting at the No. 2(southeast) corner. After the No. 2 corner post iserected, it is tagged and inscribed with theprospector’s name, license number and the dateand time. The prospector is staking in aclockwise direction by proceeding west to the

No. 3 corner. The boundary is marked withenough blazes to ensure that it is easily spottedby others.

The No’s 3, 4 and 1 posts are erected, taggedand inscribed as shown and the staker completesthe staking at the No. 2 corner. The No. 2 post isthen inscribed with the date and time that all ofthe required work for staking the claim has beencompleted.

Figure 7

400m

400m

400m

400m

blaz

edlin

e

blazed line

1

23

4

blaz

edlin

e

blazed line

N

astr

onom

ic

blaze

4

1234567

J. Bear E2786712:10pm 11/08/96

1

1234567

J. Bear E 278671:15pm11/08/96

2

1234567

J. Bear E278678:30am11/08/96completion 3:50 pm

3

1234567

J. Bear E 2786711/08/9610:00am

Start and Finishat No. 2 post

West face

North face

East face

South face

11

11. STAKING A MULTIPLE-UNIT CLAIM(Lands open more than 24 hours)

Staking Regulation, Sections 2 (1, 4-8), 8, 9, 10 (1), 13, 14 and 15

In the multiple-unit mining claim shown inFigure 8, a single staker started at a line post onJuly 12 and then completed at the No. 2 (SE)corner the following day. Line posts are erectedat 400-metre intervals along the boundaries.Line tags are affixed to the line posts andinscribed with the claim number and the

direction and distance from the last corner post.Even though the claim can be staked in aclockwise or counter-clockwise direction, tagsare still to be placed on the post faces asshown. Acceptable claim configurations for amultiple-unit claim are shown on the followingpage.

Figure 8

Lost

Lake

roadroad

400m

380m

350m

400m 400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

470m

You may startstaking at aline post

Your finish timeis to be on acorner post

N

astr

onom

ic POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.1234567

820m northof no. 3 corner

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

400m westof no. 2 corner

1234567

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

350m northof no. 3 corner

1234567

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

800m southof no.1 corner

1234567

41234567

1

1234567

3

1234567

2

1234567

J. Bear E287674:00pm 12/07/96

J. Bear E278678:30 am 12/07/96 completion 12:50 pm 13/07/96

J. Bear E 2786710:15am13/07/96

J. Bear E 2786712/07/9610:30am

North face

East face

West face

West face

North face South face

North face

East face

South face South face

1234567

400m eastof no. 4 corner

1234567

400m southof no. 1 corner

12

a) Some Configurations of a Multiple-Unit Claim

Staking Regulation, Section 2 (1,7)

4

2

1

3

4 1

23

4 1

23

4 1

23

4 1

23

16 units256 ha.

maximum claim size

12 units192 ha.

4 units64 ha.

8 units128 ha.

4 units64 ha.

16 units256 ha.

2 units32 ha.

maximum 4:1 ratio

maximum 4:1 ratio and maximum claim size

4 1

23

4 1

23

3 units48 ha.4 1

23

4 1

23exceeds 4:1 ratio

5 units80 ha.ratio 5:1

exceeds 4:1 ratioand maximum claim size

18 units288 ha.ratio 4.5:1

No!

No!4 1

23

A multiple-unit claim must be square or

Figure 9

Acceptable claim configurations

Unacceptable claim configurations

11. STAKING A MULTIPLE-UNIT CLAIM

rectangular and cannot exceed a length to widthratio of 4:1. In certain instances, claims thatare irregular in shape (i.e. not square orrectangular) may be allowed. Examples ofirregular claims may be found on pages 19 - 22.

13

12. STAKING WITH A HELPER(Lands open more than 24 hours)

Staking Regulation, Sections 9 and 10 (1)

When staking lands that have been open formore than 24 hours, an unlicensed helper mayblaze the lines and construct loose posts. Ahelper who is a licensed prospector, however,can erect, tag and inscribe posts.

In Figure 10, two licensed prospectors worktogether. The first prospector erects the No. 2post and then blazes a line west while thesecond prospector blazes a line north. Theycomplete the claim at the No. 4 (NW) corner.Each prospector tags and inscribes the posts

that he or she erects. The corner postinscriptions include the name and licensenumber of the prospector who erected the post.Archie Ross is the recording licensee and wouldapply to record the claim. He is responsible forthe actions of any helpers.

NOTE: If the land had been open for less than 24hours, the recording licensee must erect,inscribe and tag all posts. See Staking LandsOpen for Less than 24 Hours on page 9.

Figure 10

400m

400m

400m

400m

1

23

4

Nas

tron

omic

blaze

West face

South face

East face

North face

blazed line

blaz

edlin

e

blazed line

blaz

edlin

e

Start

Finish

2

1234568

Michael RossE278678:00am10/09/96

1

1234568

Archie RossM165989:25am10/09/96

4

1234568

Archie RossM1659811:55am10/09/96completion

3

1234568

Michael RossE278679:35am10/09/96

14

13. USE OF LINE POSTSFor boundaries where the erecting of line posts is not practical

Staking Regulation, Section 13 (1)

Line posts with tags must be erected on bothshores of Blue Lake because the 400-metreinterval falls within the lake. In this example,Blue Lake is a non-designated area. If Blue Lakewere in a designated area, line posts would needto be set back from the shoreline so as not to bevisible from the water.

Line post tags are inscribed with the claimnumber, direction and distance from the lastcorner post erected. Line posts may be erectedon either side of Wolf Mountain if it cannot besafely traversed. Line posts, however, are notrequired on either side of Eagle Lake because the400-metre interval is not in the lake.

Figure 11

400m 400m

R i v e r

Ri v

e r

320m

Eagle Lake

Blue Lake

South face

East face

East face

South face

Start & Finish

1234569

Wolf Mountain

390m

LP400m400m

LP LP3

LP

LP

400m

400m

200m

150m

50mLP

4

400m

270m

LP

670m

260m

2

1

400m

N

astr

onom

ic

1234569

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

320m westof No.1

1234569

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

1210m westof No.1

1234569

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

930m northof No.2

1234569

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

260m northof No. 2

1234569

15

14. WITNESSING CLAIM CORNERSStaking Regulation, Section 12

Occasionally, a corner of the claim you intend tostake will fall within a body of water. The act ofreferencing a corner location to a point where itis impractical to erect a post is calledwitnessing.

a) Witnessing One Claim Corner

When witnessing a single claim corner into alake in the situation illustrated in Figure 12, twowitness posts (WP’s) must be erected. The firstwitness post is located on the south boundarywhich also happens to be the start point of thisparticular staking. The No. 3 claim corner tag isaffixed to the first witness post erected andreferenced as per the post inscription - 200metres west into Pickle Lake. The second witness

post is located on the west boundary where thisstaking is completed.

In addition to the witnessed distance inscribedon both posts, these posts must also bear thesame inscription as required for corner posts aswell as the letters “WP”.

NOTE: Because the second witness post does nothave a corner tag, we recommend that a linepost tag be used to display the claim numberand the witnessing information (rather thaninscribing the wood of the post). The taginscription is more durable and the tag morevisible as a marker. This is not currently arequirement of the Mining Act but it is anacceptable practice.

Pickle

Lake

400m 400m

400m

400m

400m

400m36

0m

200m200m

840m

WP # 3840m southclaim 1234567completion 4:25pm13/06/96

J. Bear E278679:00 am13/06/96WP 200m west

3

1234567

4

2

1LP

LP

LP

LP

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

WP # 3,840m southcompletion 4:25 pm13/06/96

1234567

North face

North face

or use

Start

FinishN

astr

onom

ic

Figure 12

16

b) Witnessing Two Claim CornersStaking Regulation, Section 12

In this example, two claim corners areestablished by posts witnessing the intended

locations into Red Lake. In Figure 13, only onewitness post is required for each corner thatfalls within the lake. Witness posts must beerected on the claim boundary as close to thetrue corner as practical.

Figure 13

Red

Lake

400m 400m

400m

200m

1200

m

800m

600m

LP4

LP

2

1234568

3

1234568

1

1234568

1234567

N

astr

onom

icMary RossM165999:00am

11/03/96WP 1200 metressouth

Mary RossM16599 9:15am11/03/96

Mary RossM16599completion 2:47pm11/03/96WP 600m south

Finish

Start

West face

South face

North face

14. WITNESSING CLAIM CORNERS

17

c) Witnessing onto InaccessibleSurface Rights

Staking Regulation, Section 12

As shown in the previous two examples, thewitnessing of claim corners is necessary whenthe erection of posts at an intended corner isnot possible or practical. Witnessing is allowablein Figure 14 below because the surface rights arebeing used. Instead of cutting trees within theboundary of the farmer’s fence, the staker hasused commercial 4” X 4” lumber for posts.

A prospector should always be concerned whenthere are other existing rights on the lands to bestaked. The Mining Act provides that you mayhave to compensate a surface rights holder fordamages caused. You must also provide notice toa surface rights holder before you begin anyassessment work. If you are about to stakepatented surface rights and are unclear aboutyour obligations, please call the local MiningLands Consultant or Provincial Mining Recorder.

Figure 14

N

astr

onom

ic

1234568

200m

400m

200m

200m

4

1234568

3

1234568

A. RossM165987:17am 21/6/96WP 200m west

A. Ross M16598completion 4:09pm21/6/96WP 200m west

North faceFinish

Start

East face

14. WITNESSING CLAIM CORNERS

18

15. USE OF COMMON POSTSStaking Regulation, Sections 17 and 18

Figure 15 illustrates the staking of two miningclaims, where posts of one claim are used ascommon posts in the staking of another. This is

only permissible if the claims in question arerecorded at the same time by the same licensedprospector.

Figure 15

400m

400m400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

400m450m

350m

400m

250m

150m

N

astr

onom

ic

LP

2

1

LP

LP

LP3

1

1234568

4 wp

1234567 P

OST

LOCATION

CLAIM NO.

3

Muskeg

Lake

Joe Bear E278674:35 pm15/03/96WP 400m, north

4

1234567

2

1234568

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

400m northof no. 3corner

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

Wp4, 400m north completion4:15pm 15/3/96

1234567

CLAIM NO.

1234567

CLAIM NO.

1234568

Joe Bear E27867 9:30 am 15/03/96WP 250m west

Joe BearE2786716/03/969:10am

1234567

Start of 1234567

East face

Finish of 1234567Start of

1234568Finish of 1234568

Common post

North face

West face

South face

East face

Common post

19

16. IRREGULARLY SHAPED CLAIMS

a) Tying onto Surveyed andUnsurveyed Boundaries

Staking Regulation, Sections 2,3 and 13 (2)

Mining claims must be staked as a square orrectangle. This is necessary to keep theaccumulation of claims in unsurveyed territoryas orderly as possible. Occasionally, you may findthat the ground open to be staked is an irregularshape. This would be an area in between oradjacent to other mining claims, mining leasesand patents, or other lands not open to bestaked.

In Figure 16, it is permissible to stake youreastern boundary by tying onto (following thesame boundary line as) existing mining patents,a mining lease and a claim. You must erect lineposts at the 400-metre interval and at thesurveyed corner where the boundary changesdirection. The remainder of the claim mustconform to the requirements of the claim stakingregulations. If you encounter situations moreunusual than this and you are not sure whereposts are to be placed, contact the Mining LandsConsultant or the Provincial Mining Recorder foradvice.

Figure 16

miningpatent

mininglease

miningclaim

miningpatent

400m

400m400m

400m

400m

400m

402m

400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

303m

366m

228m

365m

122m

2LP3

LP

LP

LP

LP

4 LP LP 1

Start &Finish

N

astr

onom

ic

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.1234566

365 m southof No.1

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.1234566

767 m southof No.1 POST

LOCATION

CLAIM NO.1234566

1167 m southof No.1

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.1234566

1470 m southof No.1

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.1234566

1470 m southand 366m eastof No.1

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.1234566

1470m south366m east and400m southof No.1

20

16. IRREGULARLY SHAPED CLAIMS

b) Water BoundariesStaking Regulation, Sections 3(1, 4-6) and 8 (7)

This claim is a staking of lands adjacent to oneof the Great Lakes (which are not open forstaking). The claim was started at a line post,

east of where the No. 3 post would later beestablished. The claim was completed at the No.2 corner. Because the land under Lake Superioris not open to staking, no blazing or line postsare required to mark the natural shorelineboundary between the No. 2 corner and thestarting line post.

Figure 17

L a k e S u p e r i o r (not open to staking)

400m 400m

400m

4 LP 1

2

LP

3

N

astr

onom

ic

300m

400m

220m

Start

LP

No blazing or line postsrequired to mark shoreline

boundary.

Finish

21

17. STAKING IN SUBDIVIDED TOWNSHIPSStaking Regulation, Sections 5, 6 and 7

This sketch illustrates proper post placement forclaims staked in a surveyed township. Claim1193761 is a typical staking of a 320-acre lot.Claim 1193762, however, is an irregular shapecaused by patented mining location AB2 whichinterrupts the normal township layout. Lineposts for claims staked in a surveyed townshipare required to be erected at 400-metre intervalsand at all points of subdivision. White Lake and

former mining location AB1 are included in thestakings by projecting lot or concession lines.Line posts erected along the west limit of claim1193762 will require some unusual inscriptionsto indicate direction and distance from the No. 4corner. The inscription method is illustrated inthree examples shown on Figure 19 on thefollowing page.

Figure 18

AB 1

Lot 8

CON IV

AB 2

CON III

Lot 12Lot 11Lot 10Lot 9

4

23

1

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP LP LP

LP

LP LP

LP

LP

14

2 3

1193762 1193761

former mining location

mining location

400m400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

400m400m

400m

400m

White

Lake

400m400m

400m400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

Township boundary

22

a) Line Post Tag Inscriptions on Irregular BoundariesStaking Regulation, Sections 5, 6, 7, 15 and 16

17. STAKING IN SUBDIVIDED TOWNSHIPS

Figure 19

AB 1

Lot 8

CON IV

AB 2

former mining location

mining location

400m

400m

400m

400m

400m

400m400m

WhiteLake

200m

360m130m

130m

90m

LP

LPLPLP

LP

LP LP LP

LP LP LP

4

150m

Lot 10Lot 9

LPLP

LPLP

LP

LP

LP

LP

LP

3 2

1

LP

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

150m south, 490meast, 800m southand 490m westfrom No.4 post

1193762

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

1193762

150m south and490m east ofNo.4 post

POSTLOCATION

CLAIM NO.

1193762

150m south, 490meast and 800m south of No.4 post

Start at No.4

23

18. APPLYING TO RECORD A MINING CLAIM

Once you have completed staking your claim, itis time to put your field notes to work andcomplete an Application to Record Staked MiningClaim(s) form available on the Internet or at anyMining Lands Consultant office or the office ofthe Provincial Mining Recorder.

Completion of your application to record a claimis, in many ways, the most important part of thestaking process. The Provincial Recording Officeuses the information you provide to create aclaim record and to plot your claim’s location onprovincial claim maps. There is not much pointin doing a good job in the field if informationon the application form is incomplete orinaccurate or if the application is not filed ontime. On pages 24 - 35, three completed formsare provided as examples. Here are basic pointsto keep in mind:

• Fill out and sign the form in ink after youhave completed staking.

• Make sure your staking dates and times arethe same as those on the claim posts.

• Draw your claim sketch to scale. It shouldhave the same shape as it does in the field.Indicate the magnetic declination set onyour compass.

• Show all other mining claims and privateproperty that you have tied onto and thelocation of any buildings or improvementsencountered.

• Show all topography that you have crossed(roads, rivers, lakes, streams, powerlines,gas pipelines, etc.).

• Get your application and fees into theProvincial Mining Recorder or the MiningLands Consultant for the area your claim isstaked in, within 31 days from the datestaking was completed.

24

X

Thunder Bay

Mining Division

June 10, 1996

Received

25

26

Pierre Champagne M 16598

X

27

2" = 400m

5 degrees west

14

23

MiningLease

TB 76541

recorded claim

1234500

ArchieLake

400m 400m

300m

100m

400m

400m

100m

400m 400m

300m

550m

150m

200m

highway 61

bushroad

N

Big Twp. G797

3

= line post

= corner post

Claim #1234567

1

Ast

rono

mic

28

Thunder Bay

Mining Division

April 21, 1996

Received

29

30

There is a cottage on the east shore of Lost Lake, see sketch.

There are also two buildings on the north shore of the lake,

which appear to be abandoned. These are within TB 27868,

(surface right patent).

Albert Jerome E99962Reginald Charron C99963

X

31

5 degrees west5 degrees west

1cm = 100 meters1cm = 100 meters

N

350m

350m

430m

400m

400m

400m

200m

AST

RO

NO

MIC

100m300m390m

200m

400m400m

400m

200m

200m

50m

75m

WP

WP

WP

WP

34

BIG TWP. G797

LostLake

Railway

Road

Road

Cottage

Bush Road

Abandoned

buildingsLine Post

4 1

3

4

21

2

1

23

1234566

NEWSTAKING1235997

RECORDED

CLAIM1234592

1234570

TB27868TB27867

Sudbury

Mining Division

August 14, 1996

Received

33

34

The north 160 acres of lot 8 are a surface rights patent. There

are active farming operations, with farm buildings and fenced

fields. I have contacted the owner, a Mr. P. Smith who

indicates the fields are for the grazing of cattle and sheep.

David Valley Jr. E99903

X

35

12 degrees west

1 inch = 400 metres

CON VI

TOWNSHIP LINE

Lester Lake Area G 9996

Hunter Twp G 7778

RD 1

Lot 8

CON V

Lot Lot 9

RatLake

4

2

1

3

mining location

400m 400m

40

0m 4

00

m4

00

m

40

0m

40

0m

400m

270m

230

m

115m

140

m 235m

165mN

CLAIM #1193670

Little Trout Lake

Roa

d

farm buildings

fen

ce li

ne

clearedfieldto Spoonerville

AST

RO

NO

MIC

36

Regional Resident Geologist’s and District Geologist’soffices provide advice and information on localgeology, mineral exploration opportunities andactivities, and public access to geological data,industry assessment files, mineral depositsinformation and diamond drill core.

Mining Lands Consultants in the Mines and Mineralsoffices in Red Lake, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie,Timmins and Kirkland Lake provide Mining Actservices, answers to technical inquiries, access to theMining Lands claim information via the Internet, andthe sale of claim tags and prospector’s licences.

19. MNDM CONTACTS

Mineral Development Officers in the Mines andMinerals offices in Kenora, Thunder Bay, Sudbury andTimmins promote advanced exploration and new minedevelopment and assist mining industry clientsthrough the permitting process for their projects.

Claim maps are available for viewing via the Internet.Internet access is available at all Mining LandsConsultant’s offices and the District Geologist’soffices in Kenora and Sioux Lookout. All regionalMines and Minerals offices are over-the-counter salesoutlets for publications which report on workperformed in their region.

MNDM Contacts

KenoraSuite 104810 Robertson StreetKenora ON P9N 4J2District Geologist (807) 468-2813Mineral Development Officer (807) 468-2926

Kirkland Lake10 Government Road EastKirkland Lake ON P2N 1A2Regional Resident Geologist (705) 568-4516Mining Lands Consultant (705) 568-4521

Red LakeBox 324 Ontario Government BuildingRed Lake ON P0V 2M0Regional Resident Geologist (807) 727-3272Mining Lands Consultant (807) 727-3284

Sault Ste. Marie70 Foster Drive Suite 200Sault Ste. Marie ON P6A 6V8District Geologist (705) 945-6931Mining Lands Consultant (705) 945-6925

Sioux LookoutBox 3000 Queen and FourthSioux Lookout ON P8T 1C6District Geologist (807) 737-2037

Southern OntarioP.O. Bag Service 43, Old Troy Rd.Tweed ON K0K 3J0Regional Resident Geologist (613) 478-3161

SudburyLevel B3 933 Ramsey Lake RoadSudbury ON P3E 6B5District Geologist (705) 670-5735Mineral Development Officer (705) 670-5827Provincial Mining Recorder (705) 670-5742

Thunder Bay - NorthThunder Bay - SouthSuite B002, 435 James Street SouthThunder Bay ON P7E 6S7Regional Resident Geologist (807) 475-1331Mining Lands Consultant (807) 475-1311Mineral Development Officer (807) 475-1746

TimminsOntario Government ComplexP.O. Bag 3060, Highway 101 EastSouth Porcupine ON P0N 1H0Regional Resident Geologist (705) 235-1615Mining Lands Consultant (705) 235-1600Mineral Development Officer (705) 235-1628

TorontoRoom M2-17, MacDonald Block900 Bay St.Toronto ON M7A 1C3Toll-free inside Ontario 1-800-665-4480District Geologist (416) 314-3800

Web site: www.gov.on.ca/MNDM/MINES/mmdhpge.htm

37

Mines and Minerals Division

At the Willet Green Miller Centre in Sudbury,customer service functions with a province-widefocus include: publication sales, Mines Library,access to ERLIS, the Internet, assessment filesand geoscience information.

Publication Sales

All Mines and Minerals publications are availablefor sale at the Publication Sales office located inthe Willet Green Miller Centre in Sudbury. ThePublication Sales office also handles alltelephone, mail and fax orders.

Ministry of Northern Development and MinesWillet Green Miller Centre933 Ramsey Lake Road, Level A3Sudbury ON P3E 6B5Toll-free tel: 1-888-415-9845Tel: (705) 670-5691Fax: (705) 670-5770E-mail: pubsales@ndm.gov.on.caWebsite:www.gov.on.ca/MNDM/MINES/PUB/mmdpube.htm

Provincial Information Centre(Toronto)

At the Mines and Minerals Information Centre inToronto, customer service functions withprovince-wide focus include: publication sales,library, access to ERLIS, the Internet,assessment files and geoscience information.

Mines and Minerals publications of a provincialinterest and of work performed in the SouthernOntario region are available for sale at the Minesand Minerals Information Centre.

Mines and Minerals Information CentreMinistry of Northern Development and MinesRoom M2-17, Macdonald Block900 Bay St.Toronto ON M7A 1C3Toll-free tel: 1-800-665-4480Tel: (416) 314-3800 (local calls)Fax: (416) 314-3797

Provincial Recording Office(Sudbury)

At the Provincial Recording Office in Sudbury,customer service functions with province-widefocus include: sale of claim maps for theprovince, claim tags and prospector’s licences;access to the Internet client services; filing ofall documents pursuant to the Mining Act;payment of all fees as noted in the Mining Act;provision of information associated with stakingand interpretation of the Mining Act.

Ministry of Northern Development and MinesWillet Green Miller Centre933 Ramsey Lake Road, Level B3Sudbury ON P3E 6B5Toll-free tel: 1-888-415-9845Tel: (705) 670-5742 (local calls)Fax: (705) 670-5681Toll free fax: 1-877-670-1444