2015 New York Laws
PBL - Public Lands
Article 7 - (Public Lands) MINES, MINERALS AND METALS
80 - Definitions.

 80. Definitions.  As used in this article:
1.  "Gold mine" means a mineral deposit in which the total sales value
  of the gold is more than fifty per centum of  the  value  of  all  other
  minerals associated or occurring with the gold in the mine.
2.  "Silver  mine"  means  a  mineral deposit in which the total sales
  value of the silver is more than fifty per centum of the  value  of  all
  other minerals associated or occurring with the silver in the mine.
3.  "Minerals"  means  all  minerals  and rocks, more particularly any
  inorganic substance which can be extracted  from  the  earth,  excepting
  gas, oil and water.
4.  "State  lands" means all lands now or hereafter owned by the state
  of New York except lands in the forest preserve as  defined  by  section
  sixty-three of the conservation law.
5.  "Filer"  means  the  person  filing  a notice of discovery, or his
  heirs, distributees, representatives or successors in interest.