How are mineral rights categorized in relation to real property?

Mineral rights are classified as real property until they are extracted. This classification stems from the legal principle that rights associated with land ownership, such as the rights to the minerals beneath the surface, are part of the real property. Until the minerals are physically removed, the ownership of these rights is tied to the ownership of the land itself.

Once the minerals are extracted, the ownership of those resources can change. However, while they remain unextracted, they are inherently linked to the property's value and belong to the property owner. This concept is critical in real estate law as it influences transactions involving land and the rights associated with it.

In contrast, other options mention aspects that do not accurately reflect how mineral rights relate to real property. For instance, mineral rights are not always considered personal property, as their categorization depends on whether they are still attached to the land. Additionally, mineral rights are not limited to just non-renewable resources, and they can indeed be transferred separately from the land under certain legal circumstances.