The secretary of the department is generally authorized to make and adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the duties of the department at Section 9-1-5E NMSA 1978. The general duties and purposes of the mining and minerals division are set out at Section 9-5A-4D NMSA 1978 as amended 1987. The secretary is specially authorized to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations concerning the safeguarding of abandoned mines, Sections 69-12-4 and 69-27-3 NMSA 1978.

[8-21-89; 19.7.2.3 NMAC - Rn, 19 NMAC 7.2.3, 5/30/2003]