Plan of Operations Form: Form for conducting mining operations under the general mining laws in national forests.

Notice of Intent Instructions: Information to determine if the level of proposed disturbance for a mining operation will require a Plan of Operations and a detailed environmental analysis.

36 CFR 228 Subpart A: Forest Service regulations for locatable minerals operations and surface management.

FSM 2810: Forest Service manual section for mining claims and mineral operations on National Forest System lands.

36 CFR 261: Federal Register Notice of Draft Regulations dated May 10, 2007, to clarify issuing a criminal citation for unauthorized occupancy and use of National Forest System lands and facilities by mineral operators. 

Training Guide for Reclamation Bond Estimation and Administration: Requirements for reclamation and bonding for mineral operations on National Forest System lands.

Mineral Production from National Forest System Lands: Link to annual mineral production summaries from FY 2000 to the present.

Mining in National Forests: Paper that gives background information on he Forest Service's mining policy.

Mineral & Rock Collecting on the National Forest: Link to paper explaining the Forest Service's policy on metal detecting.

Prospecting for Gold: Link to United States Geologic Survey Paper on Gold Prospecting in the US.

Lolo National Forest: Minerals and Geology Home Page with links to information on prospecting and gold panning

Kootenai National Forest: Minerals and Geology Home Page.

Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests: Information on Rockhounding.