(a) Whenever in the opinion of the board there is a demand for the purchase of oil, gas, sulphur, or other mineral leases on any tract or part of any tract of land which can be reasonably expected to result in an advantageous sale, the board shall place the oil, gas, sulphur, or other mineral leases on the land on the market in a tract or tracts, or any part of a tract, which the board may designate.
(b) The board shall have advertised a brief description of the land from which the oil, gas, sulphur, or other minerals is proposed to be leased. The advertisement shall be made by publishing in two or more papers of general circulation in this state, and in addition, the board may, in its discretion, cause the advertisement to be placed in an oil and gas journal published in and out of the state. The board may also mail copies of the proposals to the county judge of the county where the lands are located and to other persons the board believes would be interested.

(c) The board may sell the lease or leases to the highest bidder at public auction.
(d) The highest bidder shall pay to the board on the day of the sale 25 percent of the bonus bid, and the balance of the bid shall be paid within 24 hours after the bidder is notified that the bid has been accepted. Payments shall be made in cash, certified check, cashier’s check, or electronic payment, as the board directs. The failure of the bidder to pay the balance of the amount bid will forfeit to the board the 25 percent of the bonus bid paid.