# Are Paleo Finds Considered Mineral or Surface Rights?
**URL:** https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/are-paleo-finds-considered-mineral-or-surface-rights/22184
**Category:** General Mineral Rights Discussion
**Created:** [January 12, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/are-paleo-finds-considered-mineral-or-surface-rights/22184 "2012-01-12T13:56:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@RK\_Leonard](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/RK_Leonard)
#### Post date: [January 12, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/are-paleo-finds-considered-mineral-or-surface-rights/22184/1 "2012-01-12T13:56:28Z")
Hi,
Our family has split our Montana Ranch into two entities. Each family owns their own deeded property, but we kept the mineral rights all joined. We are currently looking into leasing the mineral for (oil/gas) exploration. We want to keep everything on the level between the two families and also have found a paleo discovery on one of the properties. Would this paleo be considered a mineral and need to have any finds/royalties split, or would it be considered a surface find? Also, one of the properties has a gravel pit and will be doing a large bit of sale to a highway contractor, a mineral permit has been filed to do so - would this be considered a mineral right to be split?
Thanks,
RK
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### Author:  [@system](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/u/system)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2018, 4:00am UTC](https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/are-paleo-finds-considered-mineral-or-surface-rights/22184/2 "2018-08-15T04:00:42Z")