Michigan's mineral rights laws are complex and vary by mineral and location. Mining is an important part of the state economy. The state ranks second among the 50 states in production of iron ore, 17th in production of crude oil and 12th in production of natural gas.
Rights
In Michigan, mineral rights are property rights. Mineral rights are sold or leased like other real estate. Surface rights and mineral rights are separate issues in Michigan; developers can retain surface rights while selling rights to extract the ores and fossil fuels below.
Law
In Michigan, mineral rights ownership is also subject to local law, which varies by county. According to Michigan's Department of Natural Resources and Environment, details of a property's mineral rights ownership are found at the Register of Deeds, in the county where the land is located.
Dormant Minerals Act
Michigan's Dormant Minerals Act says oil and gas rights revert to the surface rights owner after 20 years, unless certain criteria are met. Mineral rights owners retain access to active fossil-fuel drilling or storage sites by filing drill permits with the county. Rights to nonproducing sites revert to the surface rights owner after 20 years.
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