Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
1. The following minerals are the property of the people of the state of New York in their right of sovereignty:
(a) All deposits of gold and silver in or upon private lands and lands belonging to the state heretofore or hereafter discovered within this state.
(b) All deposits of minerals and fossils heretofore or hereafter discovered in or upon any lands belonging to the people of the state of New York.
2. The commissioner of general services may, upon written application by any citizen of the United States, issue to such applicant a permit, consent, or lease of such duration as the commissioner may deem advisable, upon such terms and conditions as the commissioner shall determine, to enter upon state lands, for the purpose of exploring for mines and minerals or for the purpose of breaking up such lands and working any mine or extracting any mineral in such lands.
In the case of state lands other than unappropriated state lands, the state department, agency, commission or institution having jurisdiction over such lands shall receive notice from the commissioner of any application to explore, break-up or mine, and shall have a period of not less than thirty days to report thereon in writing to the commissioner, and no permit, consent or lease shall be issued until such report has been received or the thirty day period has expired, and shall not be effective until approved by the governor.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - New York Consolidated Laws, Public Lands Law - PBL § 81. Minerals subject to state ownership; exploration of mines on state lands - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/public-lands-law/pbl-sect-81/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)