27-233. Preferred right to renew mineral lease;
evaluation of geologic and economic evidence
A. Upon application to the state land commissioner, not less than thirty nor more
than sixty days prior to the expiration of the lease, if the lessee of mineral lands is
not delinquent in the payment of rental or royalty on the date of expiration of the
lease, the lessee shall have a preferred right to renew the lease bearing even date with
the expiration of the old lease for a term of twenty years. The commissioner may deny
the renewal application for any reason listed in section 27-251, subsection B, paragraphs
1 through 5.
B. In determining whether the proposed mining activities would be in the best
interest of the trust pursuant to section 27-251, subsection B, paragraph 2, the
commissioner may require the lessee to provide geologic and economic evidence showing at
least probable or indicated mineral resources, as that evidence is conventionally
interpreted in the mineral industry. Evidence provided to the state land department
under this subsection is a trade secret of the mineral industry and is confidential
pursuant to section 27-274.
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