Section 293.81. Exploring, prospecting and mining without authorization.

  Any person who engages in exploration without a license shall forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each parcel as defined under s. 293.21 (1) (b) on which unlicensed exploration took place. Any person who authorizes or engages in prospecting without a prospecting permit or any operator who authorizes or engages in mining without a mining permit and written authorization to mine under s. 293.51 (3) shall forfeit all profits obtained from such illegal activities and not more than $10,000 for each day during which the mine was in operation. The operator shall be liable to the department for the full cost of reclaiming the affected area of land and any damages caused by the mining operation. Each day's violation of this section shall be deemed a separate offense. If the violator is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or association, any officer, director, member, manager or partner who knowingly authorizes, supervises or contracts for exploration, prospecting or mining shall also be subject to the penalties of this section.

1973 c. 318 ; 1977 c. 421 ; 1993 a. 112 ; 1995 a. 227 s. 789 ; Stats. 1995 s. 293.81.