N.D. Cent. Code § 38-11-02.1: Board of university and school lands to oversee all mineral leasing

The board of university and school lands shall supervise the issuance of all prospecting permits and leases for the exploration and mining of state-owned minerals. Any agency of the state that desires to issue mineral prospecting permits or mineral leases shall do so in accordance with the standards, terms, conditions, policies, rules, and regulations promulgated by the board of university and school lands. The board of university and school lands does not have the authority to mandate or to prohibit mineral leasing or mineral prospecting on lands not under its immediate control, but it has authority to establish standards, policies, terms, conditions, rules, and regulations for such activity.