Agreement between SkB, Absa and RHY is one way how disputes can be resolved:
Rare Mine or Resource Allocation
3a Ownership is automatic if within three squares of a city or nearest existing city if that is closer than three squares. A city settled with permission will be considered existing.
3b A sovereignty claim will be considered ownership provided it is not made within three squares of an existing city. A prior sovereignty claim will take precedence over 3c.
3c New cities establish ownership five days after notifying the party who currently claims ownership. Any occupying armies of the previous owner shall be withdrawn within those five days.
3d No new cities to be settled closer than seven squares of an existing city.
3e For other squares ownership shall be on the basis of occupying armies.
3f Were by merit of occupation, proximity or any other factor that the alliances consider open to interpretation a resource location is in dispute and two players have a claim that 3a to e does not resolve the player gathering will provide 30% of the resource gathered to the other player.
3g The player who holds ownership for a location may provide permission for another player to harvest that location. Once given permission will require renewal every six months the share of resources shall be as 3f above.
3h Resource locations belonging to inactive cities (defined as no player growth in 21 days) will be considered available for claim under rules 3a to e. If the inactive city concerned comes under new ownership it is to be considered settled with permission.