New Mexico § 19-8-24 - Bonds

§ 19-8-24. Bonds

Before any lessee of minerals shall commence development or operations upon the lands,

such lessee shall execute and file with the commissioner a good and sufficient bond

or undertaking in an amount to be fixed by the said commissioner, but not less than

five thousand dollars ($5,000), in favor of the state of New Mexico, for the benefit

of any surface lessee, patentee or contract purchaser, to secure the payment for such

damage to the livestock, water, crops or other tangible improvements on such lands

as may be suffered by reason of development, use and occupation of such lands by the

said mining lessee. Provided in lieu thereof any lessee owning one or more mining leases may file a

blanket bond in an amount to be fixed by the commissioner, but not less than ten thousand

dollars ($10,000), covering all leases then owned or thereafter acquired by him. Provided, further, that if any such surface lessee, patentee or contract purchaser

shall file with the commissioner a waiver duly executed and acknowledged by him of

his right to require such bond, such development, occupation and use of the lands

by a mineral lessee may be permitted without the bond herein required. In addition, lessee may be required to furnish a bond in a reasonable amount to be

set by the commissioner to guarantee payment of royalties to become due under the

lease.