The objects and duties of the bureau of geology and mineral resources are as follows:

A. to collect, compile and publish information relative to New Mexico, geology, mining, milling, metallurgy and oil and natural gas and the refining thereof;

B. to collect typical geological and mineral specimens and samples of products; to collect photographs, models and drawings related to mines, mills, smelters, oil wells, natural gas wells and the refineries of oil and natural gas in New Mexico;

C. to collect a library and bibliography of literature pertaining to the progress of geology, hydrogeology, mining, milling, smelting and oil and natural gas production and refining in New Mexico;

D. to map and study the geological formations of the state with special reference to their economic mineral resources, both metallic and nonmetallic, and to their location and physical and chemical characteristics pertinent to ground water resources;

E. to examine the topography and physical features of the state with reference to their practical bearing upon the citizens of New Mexico, as well as potential risks to them, including geologic hazards such as landslides, soil instabilities, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions;

F. to study the mining, milling, smelting operations and oil and natural gas production and the refining of the same carried on in the state with special reference to their improvement;

G. to prepare and publish bulletins and reports with the necessary illustrations and maps, which shall embrace both a general and detailed description of the natural resources and geology, mines, mineral deposits, both metallic and nonmetallic, ground water resources, oil wells, natural gas wells, smelters, mills, oil refineries and natural gas refineries;

H. to make qualitative and quantitative examinations of rocks and mineral samples and specimens;

I. to assist in the education of miners, industries and the general public through lectures, publications and other means of information dissemination;

J. to consider such other scientific and economic problems and questions as in the judgment of the board of regents of New Mexico institute of mining and technology shall be deemed of value to the people of the state;

K. to communicate special information on New Mexico geology, ground water hydrology, mining, both metallic and nonmetallic, oil and natural gas and to serve as a bureau of exchange and information on the mineral, oil and natural gas and ground water resources of New Mexico;

L. to cooperate with other universities in New Mexico, the state mine inspector, the state engineer and other departments of state government as may be mutually beneficial and to cooperate with the United States geological survey and with other federal agencies in accordance with the regulations of those institutions;

M. to coordinate with the mining and minerals division and the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources in the formulation of overall policy in the area of mining and minerals;

N. to assist the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources with those projects that come within the expertise and jurisdiction of the bureau of geology and mineral resources; and

O. to assist the state engineer in refining understanding of the stratigraphy, structure and aquifer characteristics of geological formations in ground water basins.

History: Laws 1927, ch. 115, § 2; C.S. 1929, § 88-502; 1941 Comp., § 67-102; 1953 Comp., § 63-1-2; Laws 1977, ch. 255, § 17; 1987, ch. 234, § 47; 2001, ch. 246, § 4.

The 2001 amendment, effective June 15, 2001, substituted "bureau of geology" for "bureau of mines" throughout the section; substituted "information" for "statistics" in Subsection A; substituted "related to mines" for "of appliances used in mines" in Subsection B; inserted "hydrogeology" in Subsection C; inserted "map and" and the language beginning "and to their location" in Subsection D; substituted the language beginning "citizens of New Mexico" for "occupation of the people" in Subsection E; in Subsection G, inserted "ground water resources" and deleted "reduction plants" preceding "smelters"; inserted "and quantitative" in Subsection H; in Subsection I, substituted "industries and the general public" for "and prospectors" and inserted "and other means of information dissemination"; inserted "of regents of New Mexico institute of mining and technology" in Subsection J; in Subsection K, inserted "ground water hydrology" and "and ground water"; in Subsection L, substituted "other universities in New Mexico" for "the university of New Mexico", inserted "the state engineer" and substituted "other federal agencies" for "the United State bureau of mines"; inserted "of geology and mineral resources" in Subsection N; and added Subsection O.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 58 C.J.S. Mines and Minerals §§ 229, 230.