What happens to mineral rights when minerals are dug up?

When minerals are extracted from the land, they transition from being part of the real estate to becoming personal property. This process is rooted in the principle that once the minerals are severed from the land, they no longer retain the characteristics of real estate, which is defined as land and anything permanently attached to it. Instead, the minerals, once removed, can be owned, sold, or transferred like any other form of personal property.

Understanding this distinction is important in real estate, as it helps clarify rights and ownership regarding land and its resources. For example, ownership of mineral rights can be separate from ownership of the land itself, leading to situations where different parties may have rights to the land and the minerals. Thus, when minerals are extracted, they become recognized as personal property, distinguishing them from the real estate they originated from.