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.

History: 1953 Comp., § 7-9-12.1, enacted by Laws 1959, ch. 178, § 1.

Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law.