30 U.S.C. § 624 : US Code - Section 624: Protection of existing valid claims

Search 30 U.S.C. § 624 : US Code - Section 624: Protection of existing valid claims

Nothing in this chapter contained shall be construed to limit or
restrict the rights of the owner or owners of any valid mining
claim located prior to the date of withdrawal or reservation:
Provided, That nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit
or restrict the rights of the owner or owners of any mining claim
who are diligently working to make a discovery of valuable minerals
at the time any future withdrawal or reservation for power
development is made.