New Mexico Statutes Chapter 19. Public Lands § 19-8-8. Suspension of production; authorization by commissioner of public lands; causes; duration

In all cases where production of potassium, sodium, phosphorus and other minerals of similar occurrence, and their salts and compounds has been obtained by the lessee in paying quantities upon lands covered by any valid lease heretofore or hereafter issued by the commissioner of public lands under the provisions of Sections 19-8-4 to 19-8-7 NMSA 1978, the commissioner of public lands may authorize a suspension of production on such lease during either the primary, or fixed term, or during the secondary, or indeterminable term, of such lease for such period as may be fixed by him, from time to time, where:

No suspension authorized by the terms of this act shall be for a period of more than five years and in no event shall any suspension of production under any lease be for a period longer than ten years from the date on which the term of the lease would have expired in the absence of suspension of production.