For all mining claims or sites—paying the maintenance fee(s) in lieu of performing assessment work satisfies the requirements of the mining law and FLPMA. See § 3830.21 of this chapter for fee amounts.

(a) Location fee and initial maintenance fee. When you first record a mining claim or site with the BLM, you must pay a location fee and an initial maintenance fee for the assessment year in which you located the mining claim or site.

(b) Annual maintenance fee. You must pay an annual maintenance fee on or before September 1st of each year in order to maintain a mining claim or site for the upcoming assessment year.