Final answer:
When purchasing land, mineral rights usually transfer to the buyer unless they are explicitly reserved by the seller or were previously severed. Specific terms of the sale will determine the exact nature of the rights transferred.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a buyer purchases a parcel of land, the question of who retains the mineral rights can vary depending on the specific terms of the transaction. Generally, unless explicitly retained by the seller or previously severed, mineral rights will transfer to the buyer along with the surface rights. This means that the default assumption is option 2: the mineral rights will transfer to the buyer.
However, it is possible for sellers to keep the mineral rights when they sell the land by explicitly excluding them from the sale. In some cases, the state may retain mineral rights, particularly if the land has never been privately owned before. The federal government may also retain mineral rights on lands they sell or control, such as within national parks or other federal lands.