vein

A continuous body of mineral or mineralized rock, filling a seam or fissure in the earth's crust, within defined boundaries in the general mass of the mountain (which boundaries clearly separate it from the neighboring rock), and having a general character of continuity in the direction of its length. McMullin v. Magnuson, 102 Colo. 230, 78 P.2d 964, 968.

It includes all deposits of mineral matter found through a mineralized zone or belt coming from the same source, impressed with the same forms, and appearing to have been created by the same processes. Inyo Marble Co. v. Loundagin, 120 CaLApp. 298, 7 P.2d 1067, 1072.

The terms "principal," "original," and "primary," as well as "secondary," "accidental," and "incidental," have all been employed to describe the different veins found within the same surface boundaries, but their meaning is not entirely clear in all cases. They may refer to the relative importance or value of the different veins, or the relations to each other, or to the time of discovery, but the words "secondary," "accidental," and "incidental" are most frequently used to distinguish between the discovery vein and other veins within the same surface boundaries.

@ discovery vein

That vein which served as a basis of the location, in contradistinction to secondary, accidental, and incidental veins. The primary vein for the purpose of locating a mining claim and determining which are the end and which the side lines. Where the discovery vein crosses the opposite side lines of the claim as located, the side lines become end lines, not only with respect to such vein, but for determination of extralateral rights in any other vein which apexes within the claim

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