Everett Foster v. Fred A. Seaton, Secretary of the Interior

This case relates to appellants’ claims under provisions of the mining laws which authorize “occupation and purchase” of Government lands containing “valuable mineral deposits.” Rev.Stat. §§ 2319, 2325, 2329 (1875), 30 U.S.C.A. §§ 22, 29, 35. The Department of the Interior instituted proceedings contesting the claims on the ground that the allegedly “valuable mineral deposits” of sand and gravel, located thirteen miles from the center of Las Vegas, Nevada, were insufficient, inter alia, in quantity, quality and accessibility to a market to constitute a valid discovery. The hearing officer…