27-102. Duties of the department


A. Consistent with the objectives stated in section 27-101.01, the department
shall:


1. Promote the development of the mineral resources and industry of this state.


2. Advocate the development of mineral resources and the production of minerals and
mineral products in this state in support of its objectives.


3. Participate in conferences, seminars, forums, speaking engagements, public news
media and other functions necessary to achieve its objectives.


4. Conduct studies of the properties and claims of companies and individuals to
assist in the exploration and development of mineral resources.


5. Maintain a repository of mineral and mining information, including databases,
books, periodicals, individual mine files, mine map repository files, mining district
data and an archive of mine data. All databases and other archival materials shall be
maintained in a secure and retrievable format and location prescribed by the director to
protect and preserve information from damage or destruction.


6. Provide quality mining data, evaluation and assistance relating to promoting
mineral development to the legislature, federal, state and local governmental agencies
and the public.


7. Make surveys of potential economic mineral resources and conduct field and other
investigations that may interest capital in the development of the state's mineral
resources.


8. Serve as a source of mining information for this state in matters relating to
its mineral resources and monitor current mining and exploration activities.


9. Publish and disseminate information and data necessary or advisable to attain
its objectives. The director may establish reasonable fees for publications.


10. Cooperate with the corporation commission in its investigations and
administration of laws relating to the sale of mining securities.


11. Assist federal, state and local governmental agencies and instrumentalities,
economic development organizations and gem and mineral organizations in matters relating
to:


(a) Education.


(b) The identification, exploration and development of mineral resources in this
state.


12. Use its authority in other ways to assist in more extensive exploration and
development of the mineral resources of this state.


B. The department shall maintain a mining and mineral depository for collecting and
cataloging mining artifacts and specimens, lapidary material and equipment and other
valuable documents relating to mining and minerals.