Map Highlight: Sub-Surface Mineral Rights Map

Knowing who controls mineral rights can be the difference between a smart investment and an unexpected challenge. These rights determine who owns and has access to valuable underground resources, which can impact property value and land use.

What are Sub-Surface Mineral Rights?

Sub-surface mineral rights refer to the legal authority to explore, extract, and profit from resources beneath a property's surface. These mineral resources may include:

• Fossil Fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas
• Common metals, such as aluminum, zinc, and copper
• Precious metals, such as gold or silver
• Other rare elements and gems

Ownership of these rights can be separate from surface ownership, meaning a landowner may not automatically control the minerals beneath their land.

Map of Sub-Surface Mineral Rights

Acres offers an interactive Sub-Surface Mineral Rights Map. Accessible through our Layer Library, this tool highlights zones with mineral rights, including types of minerals present, ownership details, and acreage coverage.


Acres’ sub-surface mineral rights data is derived from the U.S. Forest Service.

Considerations for Land Transactions and Landowners

Unified Ownership

In this case, a single owner controls both the surface and subsurface mineral rights. This provides full control over land use and resource extraction. Owners can sell or lease mineral rights, effectively severing them from surface rights.

Served Ownership

When mineral rights are sold or leased separately, surface and subsurface ownership are held by different parties. In this case, surface owners may have limited control over subsurface activities and mineral rights owners can conduct exploration or extraction independently.

Ownership & Title

• Determine whether mineral rights are bundled with surface rights or have been sold separately.
• Verify ownership history and any existing leases granting third-party access.

Legal & Regulatory Factors

• Understand local, state, and federal laws governing mineral extraction and environmental regulations.
• Ensure compliance with permitting requirements before engaging in resource development.

Economic Impact

• Selling or leasing your mineral rights can bring in potential income. 
• Mineral development can bring economic activity to an area, but it can also bring costs such as road damage, noise, pollution, or community disruption.

Potential for Future Disputes

• Review surface use agreements to define what’s allowed. Vague agreements can lead to lawsuits and disputes. 
• If a lease doesn’t spell out restoration responsibilities, this may leave the landowner footing the bill or suing to recover costs. 

Land Value

• The presence of valuable minerals can increase property value, but resource extraction can also impact aesthetics and usability.
• Extraction can affect surface land, potentially decreasing its agricultural, residential, or recreational value.

Subsurface Property Rights

• Since mineral rights can be bought and sold separately, landowners may not have full control over their property’s underground resources.
• If another entity owns the mineral rights, they may have legal access to the land for exploration and extraction.

Final Thoughts

Mineral rights don’t just affect land—they shape investments, property value, and land use. Whether you’re a buyer, investor, or landowner, understanding them can help you make smarter decisions.

Ready to see what’s under the surface? Use Acres’ Sub-Surface Mineral Rights Map in the Layer Library to explore mineral ownership, property boundaries, and resource potential in just a few clicks.