# 30 U.S.C. § 26: Locators’ rights of possession and enjoyment

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s26

## Section

- **Citation:** 30 U.S.C. § 26
- **Heading:** Locators’ rights of possession and enjoyment
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** April 17, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 30—MINERAL LANDS AND MINING > CHAPTER 2—MINERAL LANDS AND REGULATIONS IN GENERAL

## Text

The locators of all mining locations made on any mineral vein, lode, or ledge, situated on the public domain, their heirs and assigns, where no adverse claim existed on the 10th day of May 1872 so long as they comply with the laws of the United States, and with State, territorial, and local regulations not in conflict with the laws of the United States governing their possessory title, shall have the exclusive right of possession and enjoyment of all the surface included within the lines of their locations, and of all veins, lodes, and ledges throughout their entire depth, the top or apex of which lies inside of such surface lines extended downward vertically, although such veins, lodes, or ledges may so far depart from a perpendicular in their course downward as to extend outside the vertical side lines of such surface locations. But their right of possession to such outside parts of such veins or ledges shall be confined to such portions thereof as lie between vertical planes drawn downward as above described, through the end lines of their locations, so continued in their own direction that such planes will intersect such exterior parts of such veins or ledges. Nothing in this section shall authorize the locator or possessor of a vein or lode which extends in its downward course beyond the vertical lines of his claim to enter upon the surface of a claim owned or possessed by another.

(R.S. § 2322.)

## Nearby sections

- [30 U.S.C. § 2 Performance of duties in absence of director](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s2.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 3 Duties of United States Bureau of Mines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s3.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 4a Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s4a.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 4b Cooperation with individuals, municipalities, etc.; contracts with owners; agreements as to prices](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s4b.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 4e Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s4e.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 4f to 4o Transferred](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s4f...4o.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 5 Reports of investigations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s5.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 6 Personal interest of director and members of Bureau in mines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s6.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 7 Fees for tests or investigations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s7.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 8 Additional mining experiment stations and mine safety stations authorized](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s8.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 9 Acceptance of lands from States](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s9.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 10 Headquarters of mine rescue cars; site for experimental work; leases and donations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s10.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 12 Repealed. Oct. 25, 1951, ch. 562, § 1(16) , 65 Stat. 638](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s12.md)
- [30 U.S.C. § 13 Research laboratory for utilization of anthracite coal; establishment and maintenance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t30_s26. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.