The inspector or any person employed by such inspector or any person having access to the papers filed in the office of said inspector, shall not make public or reveal to any person or persons, either orally or in writing, all or any part of the contents of any report, complaint, or document filed in the office of the inspector of mines of this State, or reveal or make public to any person or persons any knowledge or information in regard to the safety or physical or financial condition of any mine, mining rights, prospect, or mining company or concern obtained by the aforesaid inspector while in the exercise of his or her official duties. Nothing herein contained, however, shall be construed to prevent any inspector or any clerk or employee of such inspector, from making official reports to the Governor or legislature of this State, to the inspector of mines, or from giving evidence in any court of justice in this State in discharge of his or her official duty, or from informing the operator or superintendent of a mine in regard to findings respecting his or her particular mine.
     Any violation of any of the provisions of this Section by an inspector of mines, or any employee or clerk, shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of this Act.