The director or state mine inspectors are hereby authorized, empowered and directed to thoroughly inspect all underground excavations in all mines other than coal, as often as the director of the division of mine inspection may deem proper, from and after the passage and approval of this chapter, and ascertain the condition of such underground excavations with respect to the health of employees engaged in working in such underground excavations; and if after such examination, the inspector shall find that the health of the employees is impaired by reason of there not being sufficient circulation of air or ventilation for such employees, it shall be the duty of such inspector to immediately notify the owner, agent or operator of such mine, in writing, specifying the underground excavations so found to be unhealthful, and direct such owner, agent or operator of such mine to, within fifteen days after receiving such written notice, commence to drill a sufficient number of air holes for such underground excavation, or to sink a shaft to connect with such underground excavation, or to make drift connection with a contiguous mine, at some point or points to be agreed to by such inspector, as may in the discretion of the inspector furnish sufficient ventilation for such mine, and to prosecute the work of correcting such defect in ventilation, as directed by the inspector, with all due diligence until completed. And the inspectors shall have the power, if they deem it for the interest of the employees engaged in working in such underground excavations, so affected by such notice to require all work and operations in such mine or mines to cease until such defect in ventilation shall have been corrected, or until further notified by such inspector.