49-201. Map or plan of underground mines; copies to state geologist; corrections; abandonment of mine; expenses. (a) The owner, agent or operator of every coal or underground rock or limestone mine shall make or cause to be made and shall maintain and keep current an accurate map or plan of the workings of such mine, and each and every vein thereof, on a scale not exceeding 100 feet to the inch, and showing the bearings and distances. All such maps and plans shall be kept in the office of such mine. The owner, agent or operator of such mine shall furnish the state geologist with a true copy of said map or plan.

(b) On or before the 10th day of July of each year, each such owner, agent or operator shall amend such maps and plans to record the progress of the workings of such mine during the preceding calendar year to be marked on the original map or plan of such mine, and shall file with the state geologist a copy of the amendments to the map or plan.

(c) When any such mine is worked out or abandoned the fact shall be reported to the state geologist, and the map or plan of such mine on file with the state geologist shall be carefully corrected and verified by the owner, agent or operator.

(d) If the state geologist finds or has reason to believe that any map or plan of any such mine furnished in pursuance of this act is materially inaccurate or imperfect, the state geologist is authorized to cause to be made a correct map or plan of the actual workings of such mine. The cost of making such correct map or plan shall be borne by the owner, agent or operator of the mine and shall be recovered by the state geologist from the owner, agent or operator as other debts are recoverable by law unless the map or plan which the state geologist claimed to be incorrect shall prove to have been correct.

(e) On or before July 31, 2000, all maps and plans held by the secretary of labor pursuant to this section shall be transferred to the state geologist.

History: L. 1883, ch. 117, § 1; R.S. 1923, 49-201; L. 1967, ch. 296, § 3; L. 1977, ch. 190, § 1; L. 2000, ch. 77, § 1; L. 2004, ch. 179, § 88; July 1.