Minerals and Mining on Indian Lands

The objectives of the Energy and Mineral Development Program are to: (1) provide funds to Tribes to perform technical evaluations of the energy (both renewable and conventional) and mineral resource potential of Indian reservations; (2) provide Tribe

The Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) grant provides Federally recognized Tribal entities and Tribal Energy Development Organizations with financial assistance to identify, evaluate, and assess energy and mineral resources on Indian land. The program supports projects that conduct resource inventories, assessments, feasibility studies, and other pre development analyses necessary to plan for the processing, use, and development of Tribal energy and mineral resources. Eligible resources and potential uses include, but are not limited to: biomass (woody and waste) for heat or electricity; transportation fuels; hydroelectric power; geothermal heating or electricity generation; district heating; distributed energy systems; oil, natural gas, and helium; sand and gravel; coal; precious minerals; and base minerals such as lead, copper, and zinc. Pre development studies funded through EMDP are essential for Tribal leaders to make informed decisions about resource development and to advance projects to a stage where they can pursue financing. This no cost match program reduces project risk and supports early stage project development, helping build long term economic growth in Tribal communities. Energy and mineral resources remain among the most significant sources of economic opportunity on Tribal lands.

Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and Individual American Indian mineral owners.

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and their members, Native American Organizations, and/or individual American Indian mineral property owners.

Minerals and Mining: Funding may be used to facilitate the inventory, assessment, promotion and marketing of both renewable and nonrenewable energy and mineral resources on Indian lands. Energy and Mineral Assessments: Funds are awarded competitively to support assessment and inventory programs and/or develop baseline data, but cannot be used for development purposes.

Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor/grantee although OIEED established deadlines for completion of project, which may be extended with prior written approval.

Informal preapplication conference is recommended. Technical assistance in preparing the application is available upon request.

Energy and Mineral Assessments: Proposals are evaluated according to technical merits of the mandatory elements of the proposal. Additionally, selection criteria for ranking contain six criteria: (1) Resource Potential; (2) Commodity Marketability; (3) Economic Benefit, (4) Willingness to Develop and Commitment to the Project; (5) Budget Completeness, Cost Reasonableness, Cost Realism, and Detail, and (6) Adequacy of the Technical Proposal and Statement of Work. Applications are scored on the clarity of its executive summary, the status and commitment behind the overarching project, the viability of its economic or financial impacts, the alignment and quality of its scope of work and deliverables, and the clarity and justification of its budget.

Mineral and Mining/Mineral Assessments. Proposals are paneled by the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development. Funds are awarded according to the order of ranking of the proposals, although some elements of the budget may not be fully funded due to the Division's own ability to perform some tasks at lower costs. Funding is awarded to the highest‑rated applications. Awards are issued through GrantSolutions. Written final award notices and written notices of non-selection will be provided to all Tribal grant applicants.

Awards are made within 45-60 days after the solicitation period. The review process involves an initial eligibility and compliance review, followed by a merit-based evaluation to rank complete and eligible applications.

Minerals and Mining/Mining Assessment: A notice of intent to renew should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the current award.

An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR, Part 900.