What are mineral rights?

Mineral rights are legal rights that grant a person or entity the ability to extract and profit from minerals located beneath the surface of a property. These rights are separate from surface property rights and allow the holder to explore, mine, and sell valuable underground minerals.

Impact on property ownership

When a property owner sells or transfers their land, they have the option to retain or convey their mineral rights. If mineral rights are retained by the seller, the new owner of the surface property may not have the right to extract minerals found beneath the surface.

Importance in land development

Mineral rights play a crucial role in land development, as the presence of valuable minerals can significantly impact the value and potential use of a property. Developers must consider the implications of mineral rights when planning construction projects, as mineral extraction activities may disrupt or limit development plans.

Utilizing natural resources

By holding mineral rights, individuals or companies can tap into valuable natural resources underground, such as oil, gas, coal, or precious metals. Profits from mineral extraction can provide a significant financial advantage to the rights holder.