Definition
Mineral rights are the legal permission to extract minerals from land—oil, gas, coal, metals, whatever is underground. Here's the interesting part: you can own mineral rights separately from surface rights. Someone might own your land surface while someone else owns the rights to extract minerals beneath it.
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Mineral rights can be owned separately from surface rights. Mineral extraction can impact surface use and value. Mineral rights should be clearly addressed in purchase and financing.
Pro Tip
Verify who owns mineral rights before buying. Surface development can be affected by mineral extraction operations. Separated mineral rights create potential conflicts and should influence your purchase decision.
Example
A property with oil and gas mineral rights separable from surface ownership for development.