One Final Thought How ridiculous it is to think that if Rye Patch prevails the Rochester MINE would close down, ridiculous IMO. IMO if one works at the mine or has a store in Lovelock, those jobs will not be affected... THE MINE WILL NOT CLOSE, IMO. how ridiculous it is to think Rye Patch or ANYONE would close down a profitable silver mine.
To the contrary, IMO mining companies don't make good explorationists and fertile ground around the mine went unexplored. I suggest that overall activitiy would increase around Lovelock if Rye Patch prevails, they are better explorationists with NI-43-101 resources on adjacent lands to prove it. I have a strong feeling that RPM exploration on the LH claims would increase should they prevail, it is what they DO. With increased activity comes increased business for existing stores and maybe enough for a few new businesses to fill some of the empty storefronts in town.
The mining law came out of the basic rules that were set up in the LAWLESS early mining camps, by miners. Claim disputes were settled LOCALLY,in the camps, by miners . As always, the stakes were high and as civilization closed in, these traditions were formalized into the Mining Law of 1872. This is the "old west" justice I speak of, not the rule of the six-gun, which is anarchy.
Born in the early mining camps of California, Oregon, and Nevada from the traditions of the miners themselves AND their sense of need for fairness and uniformity, setting up a way to settle claim disputes without resorting to the six-gun was essential. Scallywags with guns live on fear and chaos, their time passed with the enactment of the Mining Law of 1872.
Having held a few claims, my understanding is this...If one has mining claims in the US West, it is no mystery that if you don't file your Assesment Papers AND pay the BLM FEE, there are 100 guys waiting to find the error and stake the claims for themselves. If they find the gap in the title, before the now "VOID" claim holder and stake new claims, the new claims are senior and by law, the previous claim holder goes away. This is the business of unpatented mining claims in the USA, NO WAY around it. Looking for lapses in unpatented mining claim title IS a part of the business. Bill Howald stumbled across the non-payment of fees accidentally by noticing CRI had potentially over-staked Rye Patch ground.
140 years of tradition...The villain, if there is one, IS NOT RYE PATCH.
To cast aside ANY law because of what is passed off as the silly mistake of a "Paper Pusher" is contrary to our NATIONAL TRADITION of being a land of LAWS!! The laws require these timely federal and county filings and payment of BLM fees.
Let me try and deflect any anger that may be pointed at Rye Patch Gold and suggest this:
IF anyone is PIzzED OFF, I suggest they might direct it at CRI, they screwed up. THEY SCREWED UP by not paying their fees! One should ask CRI: Why wasn't there a mechanism in place internally that sends RED FLAGS, SOUNDS ALARMS, when money earmarked for CLAIM FEES does not get reduced when its time to pay claim fees.? This is a senior management failure IMO.
Paying claim fees is the first duty, primary imparative for a mining company or claim holder. And the sad reality, it seems, should Rye Patch prevail, is that Coeur shareholders bear the costs of their company's failure to comply with the long established requirements of the law of the land. This is a bad thing for them... but there it is. What seemed like a secure investment may not work out. I don't win with every investment I make, no one does.
DYODD.