mineral

Broadly, a natural inorganic substance forming a part of the soil or crust of the earth. 36 Am J1st Min & M § 4. Any natural substance having sufficient value to be mined, quarried, or extracted for its own sake or its own specific use. 36 Am J1st Min & M § 4. Any inorganic substance which can be taken from the land, inclusive of oil and natural gas. Scott v Laws, 185 Ky 440, 215 SW 81, 13 ALR 369. A term inclusive of, not only coal and iron, but also oil and natural gas, diamonds, floor spar, gypsum, granite, shale, freestone, and other substances, but not sand, gravel, or clay. 36 Am J1st Min & M §§ 5, 35. In its ordinary and common meaning, the word is a comprehensive one and includes every description of stone and rock deposit, whether containing metallic or non-metallic substances; and where minerals are reserved in a conveyance, if the ordinary meaning of the word is to be changed or restricted, the language used must be reasonably clear to show that intent. Jeffrey v Spruce-Boone Land Co. 112 W Va 360, 164 SE 292, 86 ALR 866. As to whether a conveyance or reservation of minerals is inclusive of minerals recoverable only by open pit mining, see Anno: 1 ALR2d 787.