Leasable minerals are those minerals on public lands where the land is leased to individuals for their exploration and development and are subdivided into two classes: fluid and solid.  Fluid minerals include oil & gas, geothermal resources, and associated by-products (oil shale, native asphalt, oil impregnated sands, etc.).  Solid leasable minerals are are specific minerals such as coal and phosphates leased under the mineral leasing acts and Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1946 (acquired lands), Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended and supplemented, Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands of 1947, as amended, and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, as amended.

Salable minerals, or mineral materials, are common varieties of minerals and building materials such as sand, stone, gravel, pumice, pumicite, cinders, and clay.  The BLM manages salable minerals under the Materials Act of 1947, as amended, and implementing regulations (43 CFR 3600), which authorize disposal either through a contract of sale or a free use permit.  Generally, salable minerals are widespread, of low unit value, and are often used for construction or landscaping materials.  Their value depends largely on market factors, quality of the material, availability of transportation, and transportation costs.

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