Majuba Mining, Ltd. v. Pumpkin Copper, Inc.

OPINION

By the Court,

Cherry, J.:

In this opinion, we consider whether a mining claimant’s failure to comply with federal claim maintenance fees renders a controversy over superior title moot. This appeal was taken from a district court order in a quiet title action. While this appeal was pending, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued two separate decisions declaring 27 unpatented mining claims asserted by appellant Majuba Mining, Ltd., forfeit and void by operation of law because Majuba failed to comply with the statutory mining claim maintenance requirement. 30 U.S.C. § 28i (2006)…