Technical and Business Advisory Services for Energy & Mineral Projects

The Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD) provides technical assistance and consulting to eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives at no cost. Groups and individuals eligible for DEMD technical assistance include:

• Federally-recognized American Indian Tribes
• Alaska Native Villages
• Tribal Energy Development Organizations
• Alaska Native Corporations
• Individual Indian trust land or restricted land owners

How We Can Help

Energy and mineral projects can be complex, and there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Whether you’re in the initial stages of planning or need expert advice to bring your project to fruition, DEMD’s staff of engineers, analysts, geologists and business development professionals can help. Some of the services we regularly provide to Tribes are:

• Assessing energy and mineral resources on your land.
• Project planning and development, including feasibility research.
• Technical advice and problem solving.
• Securing contracts, permits and financing.
• Business development.

Submit a Technical Assistance Request

To submit a technical assistance request, review information about the DEMD branches below and choose the branch that is best able to help with your request. You may request technical assistance through any of these methods:

• By Email: Download and fill out the DEMD Technical Assistance Request Form and email the branch that best meets your needs below.
• By Phone: Call the main DEMD offices in Lakewood, CO at (303) 969-5270 and we can connect you to the proper branch. The Request Technical Assistance form can help you collect the information DEMD will need to assist.

• Renewable Energy

  Email: demd-renewables@bia.gov

  Contact the Branch of Renewable Energy and Distributed Generation to plan projects involving:

  • Solar.
  • Biomass.
  • Geothermal.
  • Hydropower.
  • Wind.
  • Hydrogen.
  • Microgrids.
  • Distributed generation.
  • National Electric Vehicle Initiative (NEVI)

• Solid Minerals

  Email: demd-solidminerals@bia.gov

  Contact the Branch of Solid Minerals to plan projects involving:

  • Mineral aggregates, such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone.
  • Industrial minerals, such as limestone, bentonite and gypsum.
  • Base metals, such as copper, zinc, nickel, tin and lead.
  • Precious metals, such as gold, silver and platinum.
  • Critical minerals, such as lithium, magnesium and rare earth elemental minerals.
  • Energy minerals, such as coal and uranium.
  • Compressed earth blocks (aka hi-performance adobe).

• Fluid Minerals

  Email: demd-fluidminerals@bia.gov

  Contact the Branch of Fluid Minerals to plan projects involving:

  • Oil.
  • Natural gas.
  • Helium.
  • Exploration of geothermal resources.
  • Any other subsurface fluid mineral.

• Business Services

  Email: demd-business@bia.gov

  Contact the Branch of Business Services for assistance with:

  • Starting a business entity.
  • Leasing and negotiation.
  • Project planning and management.
  • Finding and applying for grants.
  • Research and due diligence.