[Rev. 6/29/2024 4:27:02 PM--2023]
CHAPTER 514 - BUREAU OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
NRS 514.002 Definitions.
NRS 514.005 “Professional geologist” defined.
NRS 514.007 “Science of geology” defined.
NRS 514.010 Establishment.
NRS 514.020 Compensation and expenses of Board of Regents.
NRS 514.030 Appointment of Director; employment of assistants and employees; compensation and removal.
NRS 514.035 Duties of Director.
NRS 514.040 Duties of Bureau.
NRS 514.050 Cooperation of state departments.
NRS 514.060 Agreements with United States Geological Survey.
NRS 514.070 Reports: Distribution and sale.
NRS 514.080 Unlawful acts.
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NRS 514.002 Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 514.005 and 514.007 have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2977)
NRS 514.005 “Professional geologist” defined. “Professional geologist” means a person who:
1. Possesses a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university with at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in the science of geology and has at least 5 years of experience in the science of geology, which may include no more than 2 years of postgraduate course work in the science of geology;
2. Has at least 12 years of experience in the science of geology, at least 3 years of which must have been completed under the supervision of a professional geologist; or
3. Is currently licensed or certified as a professional geologist:
(a) In another state; or
(b) By a national nonprofit geological organization with members in at least 10 states who are licensed or certified,
Ê if the requirements for his or her current licensure or certification included requirements at least equal to those set forth in either subsection 1 or 2.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2978)
NRS 514.007 “Science of geology” defined. “Science of geology” means the:
1. General study of the earth, including its origin, processes and history;
2. Collection and investigation of specimens of the constituent rocks, minerals, fossils, solids, mineralizing fluids, gasses and other materials of the earth that are located from the center of the core of the earth to the surface of the earth; and
3. Application of the knowledge set forth in subsections 1 and 2 for the benefit of the general public and the general welfare of this state.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2978)
NRS 514.010 Establishment. There is hereby established a Bureau of Mines and Geology of the State of Nevada which shall be in the Public Service Division of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
[Part 1:127:1935; 1931 NCL § 4311.01]—(NRS A 1971, 368; 1993, 411)
NRS 514.020 Compensation and expenses of Board of Regents. Members of the Board of Regents shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for the actual expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.
[Part 1:127:1935; 1931 NCL § 4311.01]
NRS 514.030 Appointment of Director; employment of assistants and employees; compensation and removal.
1. The Board of Regents of the University of Nevada shall appoint as Director a competent scientist or engineer, to be known as the Director of the Bureau of Mines and Geology, who must be a:
(a) Graduate of a recognized college or university with a degree in some branch of earth science or mineral engineering; and
(b) Professional geologist with expertise in the science of geology.
2. Upon the Director’s nomination, the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada shall employ such assistants and employees as the Board deems necessary.
3. The Board of Regents of the University of Nevada may also determine the compensation of all persons employed by the Bureau of Mines and Geology and may remove them at will.
[Part 1:127:1935; 1931 NCL § 4311.01]—(NRS A 1971, 369; 1993, 411; 1997, 2978)
NRS 514.035 Duties of Director. The Director of the Bureau of Mines and Geology shall attend each regular meeting of the Mining Oversight and Accountability Commission created by NRS 514A.040 and each special meeting if requested by the Chair of the Commission and:
1. Report to the Commission on the activities of the Bureau of Mines and Geology undertaken by the Bureau since its previous report, including, without limitation, the current condition of mining and of exploration for and production of oil and gas in the State; and
2. Provide any technical information required by the Commission during the course of the meeting.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 2699)
NRS 514.040 Duties of Bureau. The Bureau of Mines and Geology shall:
1. Serve as a bureau of information and exchange on Nevada mineral industry, mineral resources and geology.
2. By questionnaire, field investigations, laboratory studies or otherwise, conduct a thorough survey of the mineral resources and geology of the State.
3. Apply geologic engineering principles to problems of conservation, environment, construction, mineral industry and other scientific matters that may be of importance to the welfare of the State.
4. Make studies of mineral materials to determine the most economical and practical methods of concentrating and processing these resources and to promote their conservation.
5. Collect, in collaboration with the Mackay School of Mines, a library and bibliography of all literature pertaining to Nevada mineral industry, geology and mineral resources.
6. Collect, in collaboration with the Mackay School of Mines, typical geological and mineralogical specimens and models, drawings and descriptions of appliances used in the mineral industry and earth science. Collections of these materials may be maintained and displayed elsewhere within or without the State.
7. Provide for the dissemination of information on the mineral industry, geology and mineral resources of the State through lectures and publications.
8. Consult with, advise and assist state and local governmental agencies on geological problems of importance to the citizens of Nevada.
9. Consider such other kindred scientific and economic questions as in the judgment of the Board of Regents shall be deemed of value to the people of the State.
[2:127:1935; 1931 NCL § 4311.02]—(NRS A 1971, 369)
NRS 514.050 Cooperation of state departments. All departments of the State Government shall render full cooperation to the Bureau of Mines and Geology in the acquisition and compilation of all data required by NRS 514.040.
[3:127:1935; 1931 NCL § 4311.03]—(NRS A 1971, 370)
NRS 514.060 Agreements with United States Geological Survey.
1. The Director of the Bureau of Mines and Geology, for and on behalf of the State of Nevada, with the approval of the Governor, is authorized to enter into agreements with the United States Geological Survey for cooperation in investigating mineral and geological conditions within the State and in the topographic and geologic mapping of Nevada. The expenses of such work must be divided between the parties upon a basis whereby the State of Nevada will not pay more than 50 percent of such expenses.
2. Money necessary to carry out the provisions of this section must be provided pursuant to NRS 519A.260.
3. All claims against such money must be approved by the Director of the Bureau of Mines and Geology, and, when thereafter approved by the State Board of Examiners, must be paid in the same manner as other claims against the State.
[1:40:1953] + [2:40:1953] + [3:40:1953]—(NRS A 1971, 370; 1995, 828)
NRS 514.070 Reports: Distribution and sale.
1. The Board of Regents shall cause to be prepared before September 1 of each even-numbered year a report covering the biennium ending June 30 of such year, showing the progress and condition of the Bureau of Mines and Geology, together with such other information as the Board may deem necessary or useful, or as the Board may require.
2. The regular and special reports of the Bureau of Mines and Geology shall be printed as the Board of Regents may direct, and the reports may be distributed or sold by the Board as the interest of the State or science may demand. All moneys obtained by the sale of such reports shall be retained by the Bureau of Mines and Geology to be used for costs of printing and distribution as the Board of Regents may direct.
[5:127:1935; 1931 NCL § 4311.05] + [6:127:1935; 1931 NCL § 4311.06]—(NRS A 1969, 1458; 1971, 370)
NRS 514.080 Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for the Director or any attache of the Bureau of Mines and Geology:
1. To receive a commission or to act as agent or broker of or for any purchaser, owner, or his, her or their agents, of a mining property.
2. To act in any other than a wholly impartial way while so employed.
[4:127:1935; 1931 NCL § 4311.04]—(NRS A 1971, 370)