Which entities are exceptions to the application of the Dormant Mineral Act?

The Dormant Mineral Act in Ohio addresses the rights and interests associated with mineral rights when no activity has taken place for an extended period. It is designed to clarify ownership and prevent the waste of mineral rights. However, certain entities are exempt from the provisions of this Act to ensure that governmental interests are preserved.

The State of Ohio and federal agencies are included as exceptions to the application of the Dormant Mineral Act because their interests often extend to public land and resource management, which can be pivotal for various public services and environmental considerations. Allowing these entities to retain their mineral rights status ensures that any underlying mineral resources critical for state and national interests remain accessible and are managed according to public policy rather than private ownership.

Private individuals, corporations, and municipalities, on the other hand, are subject to the Dormant Mineral Act as they engage in transactions that can lead to the abandonment of mineral rights, which the Act aims to regulate. The exemptions for government entities reflect the priority of public interest over private mineral rights when it comes to the management of natural resources.