Section 19-8-8 - Suspension of production; authorization by commissioner of public lands; causes; duration. - New Mexico Statutes

19-8-8. [Suspension of production; authorization by commissioner of public lands; causes; duration.]

In all cases  where production of potassium, sodium, phosphorus and other minerals of similar occurrence, and their salts and compounds has been obtained by the lessee in paying quantities upon lands covered by any valid lease heretofore or hereafter issued by the commissioner of public lands under the provisions of Sections 19-8-4 to 19-8-7 NMSA 1978, the commissioner of public lands may authorize a suspension of production on such lease  during either the primary, or fixed term, or during the  secondary, or indeterminable term, of such lease for such period as may be fixed by him, from time to time, where:   

A.     temporary conditions exist, with regard to the leased land then being mined, which would operate to prevent the mining of the maximum minable ore in keeping with safe mining practices;   

B.     separate parts of the lands covered by the lease are so situated with respect to other lands owned or leased by the lessee that lessee should be allowed a reasonable time to reach and mine the various parts of the lands covered by the lease in keeping with an orderly mining program and with a view  to the proper development and mining of the entire area of which the various parts of the lands covered by the lease and  other lands are an integral part; or   

C.     marketing conditions are such that the lease cannot be mined and operated except  at a loss.   

No suspension authorized by the terms of this act [19-8-8, 19-8-9 NMSA 1978] shall be for a period of more  than five years and in no event shall any suspension of production under any lease be for a period longer than ten years from  the date on which the term of the lease would have expired in the absence of suspension of production.