242.700. The owners of a majority of the acreage in anycontiguous body of lands or of lands having a common drainage,certified by the state geologist of this state to contain orprobably contain valuable mineral deposits, situate in one ormore counties of this state, may form a drainage district for thepurpose of having such lands drained for mining purposes, and forthat purpose they may make and sign articles of association andbe incorporated and be and become a body corporate in allrespects and in the same manner as is now provided for theorganization, incorporation and government of associations forthe drainage of swamps, etc., lands under sections 242.010 to242.690, with all rights, powers, duties and obligations ofdrainage districts organized under said sections except as hereinotherwise provided.
(RSMo 1939 ยง 12390)