§§ 228.20–228.39(f) Prospecting allowed for minerals including wilderness areas

[mailman]

§§ 228.20–228.39(f)
The Chief, Forest Service, shall allow any activity, including prospecting, for the purpose of gathering information about minerals in National Forest Wilderness except that any such activity for gathering information shall be carried on in a manner compatible with the preservation of the wilderness environment as specified in the plan of operations.

[Gold_Mine]

And Also

16 USC § 1133 - Use of wilderness areas
(d) Special provisions
The following special provisions are hereby made:

(2) Mineral activities, surveys for mineral value
Nothing in this chapter shall prevent within national forest wilderness areas any activity, including prospecting, for the purpose of gathering information about mineral or other resources, if such activity is carried on in a manner compatible with the preservation of the wilderness environment. Furthermore, in accordance with such program as the Secretary of the Interior shall develop and conduct in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, such areas shall be surveyed on a planned, recurring basis consistent with the concept of wilderness preservation by the United States Geological Survey and the United States Bureau of Mines to determine the mineral values, if any, that may be present; and the results of such surveys shall be made available to the public and submitted to the President and Congress.

Where do i find this survey?

[dredgeguy]

usgs geological maps are helpful.

They show the underlying rock formations.

Some reports still exist. Most of the info is in the old books about the amounts of material.