Mo. Rev. Stat. § 242.710
In order more effectively to promote the drainage and reclamation of mineralized lands now organized or which may hereafter be organized hereunder, such districts shall have the power to purchase, construct, own or lease and operate a plant or plants for the pumping of water from the underground areas of such lands, and a custom concentrating plant or plants for crushing and cleaning ores and minerals; to prescribe, regulate and collect taxes or charges for the pumping of water and for the crushing and cleaning of such ores and minerals, and to acquire by lease, purchase, donation or condemnation, the necessary lands upon which to construct such pumping station or pumping stations, plant or plants, and rights-of-way and easements for the construction and maintenance of roads, railroads or other ways to and from such station or stations, plant or plants, including rights-of-way and easements for the flowage, impounding or disposal of water.
§ 242.710, RSMo
RSMo 1939 § 12391