Mineral Landowner Services

Services provided by Meriden Engineering to mineral landowners:

Exploration & Development Opportunities

Meriden Engineering searches for exploration and mining companies to do mineral exploration, evaluation, and development of client aggregate, metallic mineral reserves, metallic mineral resources, showings of metallic mineralization, and geologic potential for discovery of commercial metallic mineral deposits.

Business Opportunities & New Technologies

Meriden Engineering investigates business opportunities and researches and investigates new technologies which may enhance the likelihood of commercial development of client mineral reserves and mineral resources. On behalf of mineral landowner clients, Meriden Engineering assists/partners with potential developers to pursue a mineral project, including technology assessment, environmental review, permitting, and financing. An example of Meriden Engineering's proactive involvement in mineral development is the founding of Minnesota Iron & Steel Company, a proposed $1.4 billion taconite/direct reduced iron/steel project on Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range.

Mineral Lease Negotiation & Development

Meriden Engineering has extensive background in mineral lease negotiation and mineral lease development for minerals and metals. Meriden Engineering has developed innovative approaches to mineral leasing that provides a win/win for both the land/mineral owner and the mining company, and continues to develop new and innovative approaches. Meriden Engineering has a long established relationship with law firms that provide advice for the development of mineral leases.

Mineral Lease Management

To assure mineral lease compliance for the landowner, Meriden Engineering provides the following services:

Mineral Exploration

Inspection and review of exploration activity, including exploration drilling samples, data, and reports.

Mining Operations

Property line locations.

Manage/protect lean ores that are stripped for possible future processing.

Protection of mineral resources from land uses (such as stockpiles, railroads, plant sites, and tailings basins) which prevent future development and can add liability.

Volumetric estimates to verify mining production from landowner's property.

Verification of assays (chemical analyses) of landowner ores.

Verify allocation and assays of landowner's ores commingled with other landowner ores.

Inspect and test scales used to weigh ores.

Verify advance and earned royalty calculations and payments.

Prepare ore reserve estimates.

Review mining company mine plans.

Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on activities, including estimates of future production.

Mineral Potential Evaluation

Meriden Engineering conducts studies and provides landowners information and opinions on the potential for discovery of metallic mineral deposits and development of known metallic mineral resources. This provides the landowner information to effectively manage the properties.

Surface & Mineral Land Management

Meriden Engineering provides the following surface and mineral estate management services:

Review of mineral and surface real estate taxes.
Develop computerized database land records, including status of tax payments, agreements in effect, mineral data available.
Mine fencing inspection, repair, and working with county mine inspectors.
Development of easements and licenses for private and public roads, power lines, telephone lines, and natural gas lines.
Protecting mineral assets in surface land condemnation proceedings.
Participating in community land use planning and zoning to protect mineral resources for future development.
Involvement in public forums to encourage or support mineral development.
Participation in government and legislative activities that address mineral research and mineral development.

Mineral Property Valuations

Meriden Engineering conducts and prepares reports on the value of mineral resources and mineral properties for estate, sale, and other purposes.

Business Administration & Accounting

Meriden Engineering provides the following business administration and accounting services related to mineral and mineral land companies:

General corporate business functions, including directors meetings and minutes.
General management functions under the direction of client boards of directors.
General accounting, including accounts receivable and payable.
Distribution of landowner income and dividends.
Payment of mineral and real estate taxes.
Preparation of corporate tax returns, 1099's, K-1's, etc.
Corporate and shareholder relations.