Entering into an OBA with Trust Lands involves a series of steps. First, the project proponent conducts their own research by visiting the Trust Lands GIS maps to ensure the lands they are interested in are open and not already subject to an existing lease.
Once available lands are identified, the project proponent reaches out to the Energy & Minerals group to submit a letter of interest or business proposal. This letter explains the nature of the transaction they are proposing and should include the following details:
Desired lands
Resource (i.e. geothermal, oil and gas, helium, metalliferous minerals, etc.)
Type of agreement (i.e. exploration agreement, lease, etc.)
Term
Start date
Royalty rate
Plan of development for the lands in question
Incentives
Any additional information such as bonuses, extensions, etc.
Once the letter of interest is received, the project proponent will be contacted by one of the Energy & Minerals group lease managers to begin negotiations. The agency may be required to solicit competing proposals.
At such time as the agency and the proponent have reached an agreement on proposed terms, the proposal will go through the approval process, which requires final approval by the Board of Trustees.
If the Board of Trustees approves the terms of the OBA, Trust Lands will draft an agreement memorializing the terms and conditions agreed upon.
OBA proposals can be submitted via USPS to our Salt Lake City office address or by email to[email protected].
Available OBAs
Tintic Valley Area, Juab County
Up to ~23,000 acres of trust land full and split mineral estate
– Newly acquired lands through The Dingell Exchange
– North Tintic Valley Block unleased acreage
– No NEPA on state-owned trust lands
West Flank of the greater Tintic Mining District
– Second most productive metal district in Utah
– Adjacent to Southwest Tintic (SWT) porphyry Cu-Mo deposit and Diamond Gulch chalcocite blanket
Road and rail access
Seeking letter of interest for OBA
– Exploration agreement with option to lease
– Plan of development
– Gross royalty for leaseable minerals
– Any additional incentives
Additional Information available for interested parties
Please submit your letter of interest or business proposal to the Energy & Minerals Team at [email protected] by September 30, 2025.
Krahulec (2018) Mineral Resources of the Southwest Tintic Mining District, Juab County, Utah