Definition. The term “mineral rights” normally refers to subsurface rights to any mineral, and commonly refers to natural gas and oil. However, it includes all minerals found beneath the land’s surface, such as gold, diamonds, quartz and copper. read more
In some cases, a corporation or trust may own the mineral rights to the land beneath a large number of surface parcels. Transferring Mineral Rights. The transfer of mineral rights is perfectly legal and increasingly common. Mining or extraction companies or investor consortia may entice "fee simple" landowners to sell or lease their mineral rights. read more
When mineral rights have been severed from the surface rights (or property rights), it is referred to as a "split estate." In a split estate, the owner of the mineral rights has the right to develop those minerals, regardless of who owns the surface rights because in United States law, mineral rights trump surface rights (see Oil and gas law in the United States). read more