Owner of mineral rights no longer exists

**VanLeighton** · 06-12-2006, 05:37 AM

The surface rights that I inherited were severed from the mineral rights at the time of original purchase of the land by my family members in the 1940's. Those mineral rights were retained by a coal company (Cherokee and Pittsburg) that was no longer active in the area, but nevertheless wanted to retain those rights. Since that time, the coal company has gone out of business. How are the mineral rights treated? Are those rights automatically transferred to the surface owner, or is there some process I can go throught to claim them?
Any help is appreciated!

**Mr. Knowitall** · 06-12-2006, 12:18 PM

What does a title search show about current ownership? If it still shows the coal company as the owner of record, who obtained the coal company's interests upon its termination of operations?

**VanLeighton** · 06-13-2006, 03:24 AM

There are no transfers of mineral ownership in the courthouse search... I've searched the internet, and have found one obscure source that suggests that Cherokee & Pittsburg was acquired by Santa Fe Industries, but I don't know how to confirm that. Any suggestions along those lines?
Thanks in advance!