Compiled Laws, Chapter 750. Michigan Penal Code § 750.537

Sec. 537.A person working in any copper or silver mine of this state, or any person in behalf of such person, shall not sell, barter, transfer, or ship any copper or silver ore, bullion, pig, or copper or silver in the raw or unmanufactured state, and shall not be a party to any barter, transfer, or sale, or aid or assist therein, unless a memorandum be filed with the county clerk of the county where the barter, transfer, or sale shall take place, giving the names of the parties making such barter, transfer, sale, or shipment, the dates, consideration, and the origin of the copper or silver so bartered, transferred, sold, or shipped, and in all cases where the origin of said copper or silver is not known to the parties, no barter, transfer, sale, or shipment shall be made without a certificate being attached to such memorandum of sale duly signed by the county clerk or by a constable or deputy sheriff, judge, stating in substance that he or she has investigated the source or origin of the copper or silver so to be bartered, transferred, sold, or shipped and that in his or her opinion the articles have not been stolen, and that the parties thereto have a right to transfer or sell the articles. This section does not apply to any person authorized to act in behalf of a person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of mining copper or silver as owner. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00.