Mineral trespass — Penalty.
RCW 78.44.330
in effect(1) A person commits the crime of mineral trespass if the person intentionally and without the permission of the claim holder or person conducting the mining operation: (a) Interferes with a lawful mining operation or stops, or causes to be stopped, a lawful mining operation; (b) Enters a mining claim posted as required in chapter 78.08 RCW and disturbs, removes, or attempts to remove any mineral from the claim site; (c) Tampers with or disturbs a flume, rocker box, bedrock sluice, sluice box, dredge, quartz mill, or other mining equipment at a posted mining claim; or (d) Defaces a location stake, side post, corner post, landmark, monument, or posted written notice within a posted mining claim. (2) Mineral trespass is a class C felony.
(1) A person commits the crime of mineral trespass if the person intentionally and without the permission of the claim holder or person conducting the mining operation:
(a) Interferes with a lawful mining operation or stops, or causes to be stopped, a lawful mining operation;
(b) Enters a mining claim posted as required in chapter 78.08 RCW and disturbs, removes, or attempts to remove any mineral from the claim site;
(c) Tampers with or disturbs a flume, rocker box, bedrock sluice, sluice box, dredge, quartz mill, or other mining equipment at a posted mining claim; or
(d) Defaces a location stake, side post, corner post, landmark, monument, or posted written notice within a posted mining claim.
(2) Mineral trespass is a class C felony.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=78.44&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026