# Environment (GEN)

## Title 15. Mines and Mining

### Subtitle 12. Maryland Dormant Mineral Interests Act

#### Section 15-1204

(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:

    (i) An owner of the mineral interest;

    (ii) Another person legally authorized to act on behalf of the owner; or

    (iii) A co-owner, for the benefit of any or all co-owners.

  (2) A notice recorded under subsection (a) of this section shall contain:

    (i)

      (1) The name of the owner, or co-owners, of the mineral interest; or

      (2) If the identity of the owner cannot be determined, information that states that the owner cannot be determined; and

    (ii) An identification of the mineral interest or part of the mineral interest to be preserved, in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

(c) A mineral interest shall be identified by:

  (1) A reference to the location in the records of the instrument that creates, reserves, or otherwise evidences the interest;

  (2) The judgment or decree that confirms the mineral interest;

  (3) A legal description of the mineral interest, if accompanied by a reference to the name of the record owner under whom the owner of the mineral interest claims; or

  (4) A general reference to any or all mineral interests of the owner in any real property situated in the county, if:

    (i) A previously recorded instrument created, reserved, or otherwise evidenced the mineral interest; or

    (ii) A judgment or decree confirms the mineral interest.

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Md. Code Ann., Envir. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)