FAQ
At ClaimStakes.com our goal is to help you find your perfect ground. Here we have compiled a collection of frequently asked questions related to buying, selling and staking your mining claims in BC.
Q: What do I need before I can own a mining claim in BC?
A: Acquiring a claim in your name (or your company’s name) requires a BC Free Miner Certificate - frequently referred to as an "FMC" - you can visit the BC Mineral Titles Online government website to obtain an application and further information
Q: I have my Free Miner Certificate and want to buy a claim, now what?
A: You can buy an existing claim from the individual(s), company, or other entity that holds the current valid title. The sale of a claim usually involves a financial transaction followed by the transfer of title. The actual title transfer process is straightforward and occurs through the BC Mineral Titles Online - frequently referred to as "MTO" - website. When you acquire a claim through ClaimStakes.com we provide detailed instructions on how to receive title on your new claim. When we broker a claim we ensure you receive your title before disbursing your funds to the seller.
Q: What factors go into the price of a claim?
A: Buyers and sellers all have their own criteria when it comes to looking at a claim. What excites one person might be of little value to the next. We frequently hear this when it comes to proximity to urban centres - some want to minimize their travel time to a claim in order to maximize their limited recreational prospecting time while others want the privacy of a more distant location, likewise when selecting a property for its commercial mining potential the decision emphasis will expand beyond just location to include test data, and the many factors impacting the cost of extracting the resource. Only you can decide what factors weigh most heavily in your decision although we'll guide you to consider the following:
- Location - How will you access this claim? Just as with any other property location, location, location, ranks high on the list. When it comes to a mining claim this applies both in relation to supply centres and in a more immediate sense to known mineral occurrences, access roads, trails, and other infrastructure.
- Resources - What is known about the claim and the area? The saying "Gold is where you find it" often morphs into "Gold is where it has already been found". Properties in areas of known historical production are often highly sought after while prospects that have seen less exploration and testing can provide more value to those hoping to make their own discovery.
- Encumbrance - Who else shares the land? While this could be part of location it deserves its own section. One of the most oft overlooked aspects of a claim, especially by new prospectors, is encumbrance. In BC a Free Miner has many rights when it comes to their claim, however, it pays to know who your neighbours are. When it comes to mining in BC reserves (such as First Nations, hydro projects, parks, and others) can all limit what you can do and where you can do it. Buyers and sellers often place a high value on unencumbered crown land as part of their valuation.
- Water - How close and how much? Especially applicable to placer mining is the availability of water. Not only are streams and rivers the natural concentrators for mineral deposits, their water provides the means to wash gravels and extract the valued resources. It pays to know where and when you can count on water being on or around your claim.