Legal Definitions - vein

In mining law, a vein refers to a distinct and continuous body of valuable minerals or mineral-rich rock that fills a crack, fissure, or seam within the earth's crust. It is characterized by having clear, definable boundaries that separate it from the surrounding non-mineralized rock.

A discovery vein is the specific vein of minerals that serves as the primary basis for establishing a mining claim. It is the initial, significant mineral find that allows a prospector or company to legally stake their claim to the land for mining purposes.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a vein in mining law:

• Imagine a team of geologists exploring for precious metals in a mountainous region. They uncover a long, narrow band of quartz rock, visibly distinct from the surrounding granite, that contains significant concentrations of gold. This continuous band of gold-bearing quartz, clearly separated from the granite, would be considered a vein. If this particular gold deposit is the first major find they use to secure their rights to mine the area, it would also be designated as the discovery vein for their claim.

• Consider a company conducting exploratory drilling in a desert landscape. Their drills penetrate the earth and reveal a consistent layer of copper ore running horizontally through a different type of sedimentary rock. This layer of copper ore maintains its integrity and distinctness over a considerable distance, with clear boundaries where it meets the surrounding rock. This continuous, mineralized layer of copper would legally be defined as a vein, as it represents a defined body of mineral within the earth's crust.

• A prospector is searching for silver in an old mining district. They notice a vertical crack in a rock face, about a foot wide, filled with a dark, metallic-looking mineral. Upon testing, it's confirmed to be a rich silver ore that extends downwards into the earth. This distinct, continuous filling of silver ore within the rock fissure constitutes a vein. Its clear separation from the non-mineralized rock around it makes it a legally recognizable mineral deposit.