As used in this chapter, "adjacent mineral producer" means a person that:

1. (1) is engaged in the production, development, or future development of at least one (1) mineral, including coal, oil, gas, or another mineral in solid, liquid, or gaseous form; and

2. (2) owns or leases a property interest in:

   1. (A) the mineral estate adjacent to, adjoining, or contiguous to the mineral interest of an unknown or missing owner;
   2. (B) a portion of the mineral estate adjacent to, adjoining, or contiguous to the mineral interest of an unknown or missing owner; or
   3. (C) an area that the person seeks to develop that is within the boundaries of a proposed production unit established by spacing regulations of the division of reclamation.

As added by P.L.28-2015, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.127-2022, SEC.32.