N.Y. Public Lands Law Section 81
Minerals subject to state ownership

  • exploration of mines on state lands

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.

Source: Section 81 — Minerals subject to state ownership; exploration of mines on state lands, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PBL/81 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Nov. 1, 2025).

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Verified:
Nov. 1, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 81. Minerals subject to state ownership's source at nysenate​.gov

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