Information provided to the state agencies in an application for a mining permit relating to the geologic data, size, extent, and economic value of a mineral deposit and information that may affect the competitive position of the applicant and marked confidential by the applicant shall be protected as confidential information by state agencies and not be a matter of public record in the absence of a written release from the operator. A person who knowingly violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
SDCL 45-6B-19