Introduction

2.1. Coal is one of the several estates in real property which may be owned either separately or in conjunction with other estates. If coal is owned as a separate estate, either absolute, as a leasehold, or in conjunction with other estates, West Virginia property tax law requires ownership to be listed, valued and taxed. Coal may be owned without being mined. Coal title may exist where no coal is actually present (barren), or where the coal is unmineable or mined-out. For valuation purposes this rule classifies coal property into the following categories: Active; Reserve; Unmineable; Mined-out; and Barren.