In this episode of the Mineral Rights Podcast, I cover significant developments affecting mineral and royalty owners across the United States. The episode examines North Dakota's recent legislation establishing royalty rates for rare earth minerals, analyzes the implications of the new US-Ukraine critical minerals agreement on US mineral owners, highlights a major USGS resource assessment in Wyoming, and provides the latest drilling activity updates.

As always, links to the articles mentioned and additional resources can be found at mineralrightspodcast.com.

Jon Corkern serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO), bringing a unique combination of nonprofit management expertise and personal mineral ownership experience to the role. His path to NARO began not through an oil and gas industry background, but as a mineral rights owner who found himself overwhelmed by lease offers and complex paperwork related to his mineral interests. Like many NARO members, Corkern initially had no idea how to evaluate whether offers were fair or what steps he should take to protect his interests. Through his connection with past NARO president David Smith, he discovered the organization and quickly recognized both its value and his potential to contribute. His background in managing nonprofit organizations, combined with his firsthand understanding of the challenges mineral owners face, made him an ideal fit for leading NARO's mission to educate and support royalty owners across the country. Under his leadership, NARO continues to expand its educational resources and member services while working to increase awareness of the organization among mineral owners who often struggle in isolation with complex industry decisions.

For a limited time, new members can save $25 off an introductory membership. More information can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.

In this episode of the Mineral Rights Podcast, we provide a comprehensive checklist for mineral owners on handling division orders. From what division orders are, how to verify your decimal interest is correct, when to get professional help, and best practices for documentation. This essential guide helps ensure you get paid correctly from the start so you can protect your interests when a new well begins producing.

As always, the resources mentioned in this episode can be found in the show notes at mineralrightspodcast.com.