AuthoriProspector/Learn/How to Read a BLM MLRS Mining Claim Record
LEGAL & COMPLIANCE5 MIN READ

How to Read a BLM MLRS Mining Claim Record

DIRECT ANSWER
A BLM MLRS mining claim record contains the claim's unique serial number (CSE_NR), its current disposition status (CSE_DISP), the recorded acreage (RCRD_ACRS), the PLSS legal land description (PLSS_DESC), the original location date (LOC_DT), and the last assessment year (LST_ASMT_YR). Together these fields tell you who owns the ground, exactly where it is, and whether the claim is actively maintained.

Every time you tap a claim block in a BLM GIS tool or in AuthoriProspector, you're looking at data that comes directly from the MLRS database. The field names look like arcane abbreviations — CSE_DISP, RCRD_ACRS, PLSS_DESC — but each one tells you something specific and actionable. Once you can read a raw MLRS record, you can evaluate a claim target in under 60 seconds.

The Core Fields Explained

FieldFull NameWhat It Tells You
CSE_NRCase NumberThe unique identifier for this claim in the federal system. Use this to look up the claim in BLM LR2000 for full documentation.
CSE_DISPCase Disposition"Active" = maintained and valid. "Filed/Pending/Submitted" = in-process. "Closed" = forfeited or withdrawn — ground is open.
RCRD_ACRSRecorded AcresThe acreage as recorded on the Notice of Location. Should be ≤20 for individual placer, ≤160 for association placer.
PLSS_DESCPLSS DescriptionThe aliquot notation (e.g. N2NWNE) identifying the 20-acre parcel within its section. Read right-to-left.
LOC_DTLocation DateThe date the claim was physically located and monumented. This is the priority date for competing claims.
LST_ASMT_YRLast Assessment YearThe most recent year the annual maintenance fee was paid. A year more than 1 behind current = potential forfeiture risk.
CSTMRNMCustomer NameThe recorded claim holder name — individual or company. Privacy-filtered in some public interfaces.
MRG_ACRSMeridian/Group AcresAdministrative grouping field. Not typically used for prospecting decisions.

Reading CSE_DISP

The disposition field is the first thing to check. "Active" means the claim is valid and the annual fee is current. "Filed" generally means the initial paperwork is in but the BLM processing isn't complete. "Pending" and "Submitted" are similar transitional states. "Closed" is what you're looking for when identifying open ground — it means the claim has been forfeited, withdrawn, or otherwise terminated.

Using LOC_DT for Priority Analysis

If you're investigating a contested area where two claims appear to overlap, the location date (LOC_DT) determines priority. The earlier location date wins, assuming both claims were properly recorded. Note that LOC_DT is the date of physical location in the field — not the county recording date or the BLM filing date. Those come later in the process.

LST_ASMT_YR: The Early Warning System

The last assessment year is updated each time the BLM records an annual maintenance fee payment for the claim. If you're looking at a claim in 2026 and the LST_ASMT_YR is 2023, that claim has been delinquent for two years. It should already have been forfeited — check with the BLM to confirm whether it has been officially closed in the system.

Read Live MLRS Data in Context

AuthoriProspector overlays live BLM claims, 20-acre aliquot precision, USGS historic mine markers, and no-go zones on a single map. Tap any block to see who owns it — then stake and file from the field.

View BLM Claim Records on AuthoriProspector →

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does CSE_DISP mean on a BLM mining claim?
CSE_DISP stands for Case Disposition. It indicates the current legal status of the claim: Active (valid, fees current), Filed/Pending/Submitted (in-process), or Closed (forfeited or withdrawn). "Closed" means the ground is available for relocation.
What is the PLSS_DESC field in BLM MLRS?
PLSS_DESC contains the aliquot notation describing which specific 20-acre parcel the claim covers within its PLSS section. For example, "N2NWNE" means the north half of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter — a 20-acre parcel identifiable on any PLSS map.
What does LST_ASMT_YR mean on a mining claim?
LST_ASMT_YR (Last Assessment Year) is the most recent year the claim holder paid the annual $165 maintenance fee to the BLM. If the current year minus LST_ASMT_YR is more than 1, the claim may be delinquent. Claims that miss the September 1st fee deadline are automatically forfeited — though the database update may lag the forfeiture date.
How do I look up a full BLM mining claim record?
Use the BLM LR2000 system (a public web application) and search by the CSE_NR (case serial number) from the MLRS record. LR2000 shows the full chain of title, all filings, fee payments, and official correspondence associated with the claim.