Surface owners who have land above deposits of precious minerals such as uranium would get more protection under a law the Industrial Commission agreed to propose to the Legislature on Monday.

The bill would provide similar protections given to surface owners who have land above oil, natural gas and coal deposits, said Lynn Helms, the director of the Department of Mineral Resources. Minerals are not covered under that law.

The law would give landowners the right to request environmental inspections from the department of health as well as require mineral owners to notify the landowner of any drilling activity 20 days prior and compensate the landowner for any damages among others.

Other minerals that could be mined in North Dakota and would be covered under the legislation include germanium, which is used in solar panels, potash, an ingredient in fertilizer, and salt, which hasn't been mined in North Dakota since 1989, Helms said.

State geologist Ed Murphy said three companies have expressed interest in mining for uranium in Billings County and Slope County.

So far, two companies have been granted permits to explore for uranium, which hasn't been mined in North Dakota since the 1960s.

The industrial commission includes Gov. John Hoeven, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.

(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at 223-8482 or brian.duggan@;bismarcktribune.com.)