Mineral Opportunities

Limestone, sand and gravel, and crushed rock share one thing in common - vast amounts of these resources are found on Indian lands. DEMD staff are poised to help tribes find the best companies to develop industrial mineral resources on reservations. We can also help tribes develop rare earths, precious, semi-precious and base metals as well other mineral resources. 

AGGREGATE

Tribes can employ a variety of business approaches to develop aggregate production on their reservations.  They can elect to set up their own business ventures or partner with existing private contracting companies. Typically, tribal corporations may approach the aggregate supply business in the following scenarios: 

•    Operate as a stand-alone producer of aggregate products

•    Operate in a joint venture with an aggregate company

•    Lease their land and aggregate resources to an existing producer and collect
      royalties for tonnages processed and sold

•    Develop peripheral businesses to the aggregate production that could preferentially
      keep them profitably involved in the local or regional business scene.  Such
      businesses might include trucking companies, landscaping services, decorative
      stone sales, or constructor installation and supply support

View sample aggregate lease

The following tribes are actively pursuing mineral development on their lands:

LIMESTONE

Significant  limestone resources are found on tribal lands. DEMD staff are currently working with several tribes to pursue development of this important resource.

For more information contact:
Dennis Bodenchuk
720-407-0603
dennis.bodenchuk@bia.gov