Which of the following actions can a special commissioner NOT take regarding mineral interests?

A special commissioner plays a critical role in managing mineral interests and often operates under specific legal constraints. One significant restriction is that they cannot sell the mineral interests outright. This limitation exists because the sale of such interests typically requires a formal judicial process and often needs to ensure that all current owners, heirs, or claimants have been identified and accounted for in the transaction.

The primary responsibility of a special commissioner is to facilitate the proper management and distribution of mineral interests rather than to liquidate them. This role includes reporting unknown ownership to the court, which is essential in determining who has rights to the interests and ensuring that all parties are treated fairly. Additionally, a special commissioner can assign proceeds to the rightful owners based on their established interests, ensuring that distributions are made accurately and legally.

Conveying interests to surface owners might also occur under specific conditions, typically involving a legal assessment of rights and interests. However, the premise that a special commissioner can sell mineral interests directly misrepresents their authority, which is more about administering and reporting than engaging in sales transactions.