Stakeholders, lawmakers form working group on abandoned mineral rights draft

Stakeholders at the Joint Judiciary Committee discussed a draft to address abandoned or dormant mineral interests in Wyoming and asked for time to rework the text for state law and local practice.

Representatives of the Wyoming Mining Association and companies said the draft, modeled on another state's law, needs changes for Wyoming — including removing gravel from the definition of minerals where appropriate and clarifying notice, timing and what mineral types are covered. Joe Sylvester, a mining company resource manager, said the objective is to enable surface owners or others to clear up fractional, hard‑to‑track mineral interests rather than forcing a full quiet-title action in every case.

County clerks noted the bill uses both "filed" and "recorded" language and asked that documents meant for public record be required to be recorded. Agricultural, stockgrower and landowner groups supported a process that helps surface owners learn who holds split estate rights and possibly acquire them when ownership is effectively abandoned.

Committee members agreed to form a working group with stakeholders and committee members to craft consensus language; the mining association volunteered to coordinate the group and multiple members of the committee (Senator Hicks, Senator Crago, Senator Cole and Representatives Singh and Chastick among others) agreed to participate.

Next step: the working group will meet to refine definitions, notification and recording language and return recommendations to the committee in Cheyenne.