Legal Definitions - end lines

In mining law, end lines refer to the boundary lines of a mineral claim that define its width, specifically where the claim crosses a mineral vein. These lines are typically the shorter boundaries of a rectangular claim, and they are crucial for determining the extent of a miner's rights to follow a vein underground.

The concept of end lines is particularly important under the "apex rule," which allows a miner to follow a vein beyond the vertical boundaries of their claim if they own the top (apex) of the vein. The orientation of the claim relative to the vein dictates which lines function as the end lines, as they ultimately limit the lateral (sideways) extent of a miner's subsurface rights to that vein.

• Example 1: Standard Claim Orientation

  Imagine a prospector staking a rectangular claim for a newly discovered copper vein. The vein runs in a generally north-south direction. The prospector lays out their claim so that its longer sides run parallel to the vein, also north-south. In this common scenario, the shorter, east-west boundaries at the northernmost and southernmost points of their claim would be considered the end lines. These lines mark the limits of their claim across the vein's path, defining the segment of the vein they can mine.

• Example 2: Claim Crossing the Vein

  A mining company acquires a rectangular claim that, due to existing property lines, is oriented perpendicular to a known gold vein. The gold vein runs east-west, but the company's claim has its longer boundaries running north-south and its shorter boundaries running east-west. In this specific situation, under the principles of the apex rule, the lines that would typically be considered the longer "side lines" (the north-south boundaries) might effectively function as the end lines because they are the boundaries that the vein crosses. This illustrates how the legal function of a boundary line depends on its relationship to the mineral vein.

• Example 3: Defining Subsurface Mining Limits

  A small mining operation has a claim where a valuable silver vein dips deep underground. The claim's eastern and western boundaries are clearly designated as its end lines. As the miners excavate the silver vein, these end lines legally restrict how far east or west they can follow the vein beyond their surface property boundaries, even if the vein continues into adjacent land. This demonstrates the practical importance of end lines in defining the precise lateral extent of subsurface mining rights, preventing encroachment onto neighboring claims.