Ala. Code § 9-15-36
With the approval of the Governor, the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources is hereby authorized to rent or lease school lands upon such terms as he deems advisable, and he is also hereby authorized and empowered to rent or lease school lands for the purposes of prospecting for oil or gas upon such lands and to execute contracts for the sale of oil or gas from school lands, upon such terms and for such prices or royalties as he may deem to be for the best interests of the state.
The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the approval of the Governor, is also hereby authorized to lease school lands for the purpose of mining or removing therefrom coal, iron and other minerals, other than oil or gas, upon a royalty basis and may include rights-of-way therein or easements over or upon such lands as may be deemed necessary or convenient to the operation or conduct of any mine or mining operation under such lease.
Ala. Code § 9-15-36 (1975)