How can the monetary value of mineral rights be determined? Who is the best professional to make this assessment? Is it possible to evaluate value in today's market versus it's value in 2010?
Mineral rights values are tied directly to the subsurface potential in the area - and not all areas are the same. As for comparing value differences from now to 5 years ago, it is possible but five years ago the plays that are "hot" now in an area didn't exist.
Bottom line - very nebulous subject (mineral rights value) / expert consultants can give you a value (after you pay for a study) but the range of value will be extreme with a large error bar.
Just my opinion on all this as usual