Statutory Duties

A.R.S. 27-101.01 Department of mines and mineral resources; objectives, immunity

A. A department of mines and mineral resources is established.
B. The objectives of the department are to promote the development of the mineral resources of this state:

1. Through technical and educational processes, including field investigations, public seminars, publications, conferences and mineral displays.
2. By providing mining, metallurgical and other technical information and assistance to all persons who are interested in developing the mineral resources of this state.

C. Any claim or action against the department, the board of governors or any member of the board or the director or any other officer, employee or volunteer of the department in the person's official capacity must be brought against the state of Arizona and not against the department, board, board member, director or officer, employee or volunteer individually.

A.R.S. 27-102. Duties of the department; mining and mineral museum:

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 which 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 the state.

B. The department shall maintain a mining and mineral museum as the state depository for collecting, cataloging and displaying mining artifacts and specimens of various ores, gemstones, lapidary material and other valuable mineral specimens. In connection with the museum, the director may:

1. Establish and collect entrance fees to the museum for persons who are at least eighteen years of age.
2. Operate a retail gift shop including the acquisition, purchase and resale of mineral specimens and mineral-related items.
3. Employ a curator for the museum.