All lease obligations, including the obligation to pay rent and royalties, shall be suspended during the period the mineral lease is suspended. Provided, however, that the lessee shall pay the annual rental required in Section 19-8-19.1 NMSA 1978 for each year of suspension. Suspension of a mineral lease shall not operate to relieve the lessee from its obligations under the New Mexico Mining Act.
N.M. Admin. Code § 19.2.2.53