Ark. Code Ann. § 15-55-303: Mineral discoveries - Notice

(a) When at any time during the progress of the survey the State Geologist or his or her assistants shall discover any considerable deposits of minerals, metals, ores, clays, oils, gas, coal, or anything else of value, situated upon lands of any citizen of the state, he or she shall immediately notify the owner of the discovery.

(b) Should the discovery be upon land belonging to the state, he or she shall at once and without delay notify the Governor thereof, and the Governor upon receipt of notice shall immediately cause the lands to be withdrawn from sale or donation until otherwise provided by the General Assembly.

(c) Withdrawal from sale by the Governor shall be by proclamation directed to the Commissioner of State Lands and shall be published in at least one (1) newspaper of general state circulation.