Section 15-1201 – Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.     (b)    “Mineral” includes:         (1)    Gas;         (2)    Oil and oil shale;         (3)    Coal;         (4)    Gaseous, liquid, and solid hydrocarbons;         (5)    Cement materials, sand and gravel, road materials, and building stone;         (6)    Chemical substances;         (7)    Gemstone, metallic, fissionable, and nonfissionable ores; and         (8)    Colloidal and other clay, steam, and geothermal resources.     (c)    “Mineral interest” means an interest […]

Section 15-1202 – In General

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, this subtitle applies to all mineral interests.         (2)    This subtitle does not apply to a mineral interest:             (i)    Held by the United States or a Native American tribe, except to the extent permitted by federal law; or             (ii)    Held by the State or an agency or political subdivision of […]

Section 15-1203 – Action to Terminate Dormant Mineral Interest

    (a)    (1)    On or after October 1, 2011, a surface owner of real property that is subject to a mineral interest may maintain an action to terminate a dormant mineral interest.         (2)    A mineral interest is dormant for the purpose of this subtitle if:             (i)    The mineral interest is unused for a period of 20 or more years preceding […]

Section 15-1204 – Preservation of Mineral Interests — in General

    (a)    (1)    An owner of a mineral interest may record, at any time, a notice of intent to preserve the mineral interest or a part of a mineral interest.         (2)    A mineral interest is preserved in the county in which the notice is recorded.     (b)    (1)    The following individuals may record a notice in accordance with subsection (a) of this […]

Section 15-1205 – Preservation of Mineral Interests — Recordation of Late Notice

    (a)    In this section, “litigation expenses” means costs and expenses that the court determines are reasonably and necessarily incurred in preparing for and prosecuting an action, including reasonable attorney’s fees.     (b)    In an action to terminate a mineral interest in accordance with § 15–1203 of this subtitle, the court shall permit the owner of the mineral interest […]

Section 15-1206 – Unknown or Missing Owners

    (a)    If the title to a severed mineral interest is vested in an unknown or missing owner, the circuit court of the county where the severed mineral interest is located may on petition, and after notice and a hearing:         (1)    Place the severed mineral interest in trust by order;         (2)    Appoint a trustee for the unknown or missing […]