[Jewbacca]

“In the United States, the landowner has mineral rights and owns everything on the property.”

Depends on the state, actually.

In New Mexico (and most everywhere west of the Rockies), the US government owns the minerals, unless deeded out.

The feds own a fair amount east of the Rockies, too.

Texas is a noted exception, as it was its own country, and title was never held by the USA.

[blam]

"The feds own a fair amount east of the Rockies, too."

I think 85% of the land in New Mexico is owned by the federal government...very high percentage of Nevada too.

[FoxInSocks]

Thanks for the clarification. :-)