Mine Ownership and Land Use

[Andrew Schmitt]

I would like to have a better understanding of mine ownership of country property.  Large swaths are owned by mining companies and spread throughout county. What is reason to own property throughout town, some are very small parcels?

 Lots of parcels appear listed by old mining companies that have been acquired by larger companies; do parcels ownership need to be transferred?   

I am finding lots of properties listed owned by mining companies that have lived in homes, abandoned homes or are used by ranches.  How do these land arrangements work?