(a) It shall be the duty of the commission to direct the State Geologist, in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey, to:
(1) Investigate, or to have investigated, such of the natural resources of the state, consisting of the available waterpower of the streams, the clays of the state as related to their adaptability to the various purposes for which clays are utilized, the cement materials of the state, the road materials of the state, and such other minerals and economic geologic products, as it may be deemed practicable and advisable by the commission to have investigated; and
(2) Prepare or have prepared topographic maps deemed advisable.
(b) The Arkansas Geological Survey may direct the State Geologist to:
(1) Make or have made investigations deemed advisable relating to the conservation of exhaustible natural resources;
(2) In cooperation with the United States Geological Survey, make investigations deemed advisable relating to the safety of miners and mine operations; and
(3) Adopt measures deemed practicable to assist mine operators in preventing explosions and give relief in case explosions occur.