Who owns the majority of mineral rights in Alberta?

In Alberta, the majority of mineral rights are owned by the Crown, which refers to the provincial government. This ownership means that all subsurface resources, including minerals, oil, and gas found beneath the land, are generally under the control of the Crown, irrespective of the surface land ownership.

The rationale behind this system is rooted in the historical development of resource management in Canada, where provincial governments assert ownership over natural resources as a means of regulation, conservation, and revenue generation. This allows the Crown to manage resource extraction through leasing agreements and royalties, ensuring that the province benefits from its natural resources despite private land ownership above the surface.

Private landowners may own the surface rights to their land, but the mineral rights often remain with the Crown unless specifically purchased or granted a different arrangement. Therefore, when discussing mineral rights in Alberta, it is crucial to recognize the Crown's significant role in their ownership and management.