EXHIBIT 3.12

                       CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                                       OF
                        DORCHESTER MINERALS OPERATING LP
                        (a Delaware limited partnership)

         This Certificate of Limited Partnership (this "Certificate"), effective
as of the date and time provided below, has been executed in connection with the
formation of a limited partnership (the "Partnership") pursuant to the Delaware
Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Act"). The General Partner of the
Partnership certifies that:

         1.   Name:  The name of the Partnership is Dorchester Minerals
              ----
Operating LP.

         2.   General Partner:  The General Partner of the Partnership is
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Dorchester Minerals Operating GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. The
mailing and business address of the General Partner is 3738 Oak Lawn Ave.,
Dallas, Texas 75219.

         3.   Registered Office and Registered Agent: The Partnership's
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registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209
Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801,
and the name of the Company's registered agent at that address is The
Corporation Trust Company.

         4.   Effective Date and Time.  The effective date and time of the  .
              ------------------------
formation of the Partnership shall be 11:58 p.m Eastern Standard Time on
December 12, 2001.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned General Partner has caused this
Certificate to be executed effective as of 11:58 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on
December 12, 2001.

                                           Dorchester Minerals Operating GP LLC


                                           By: /s/ James E. Raley
                                              ----------------------------------
                                           Name:   James E. Raley
                                           Title:  Chief Operating Officer