OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

The Office of the Director formulates division resource development, policy, planning, and administrative and fiscal management.

The Director is appointed by the Cabinet Secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to administer laws and regulations pertaining to hard rock and coal mining, mine registration and safeguarding, and annual industry reporting. The Director serves as the state’s representative on mining issues for EMNRD and, occasionally, for the Governor, and represents New Mexico on the Interstate Mining Compact Commission.

The Director, Deputy Director and OFD staff provide administrative and financial management, and liaison with the legislature on budget and legislative issues.

Deputy Division Director
Drew Roybal-Chavez

Role: Assists the Director in overseeing the Mining and Minerals Division’s programs and operations, including the Abandoned Mine Lands Program (AML), Mining Act Reclamation Program (MARP), Coal Mine Reclamation Program (CMRP), the OFD– Financial Services Section (FSS), and the Mining Registration, Reporting and Safeguarding Program (MRRSP). Provides leadership on strategic planning, policy implementation, and operational coordination to ensure effective program delivery, regulatory compliance, and alignment with departmental priorities.

Bio: Drew Roybal-Chavez serves as the Deputy Director for the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division, bringing over 19 years of experience in state government financial management, budgeting, and operations. Throughout his career, Drew has held key leadership roles across multiple state agencies, including serving as a Principal DFA Executive Budget Analyst and Health & Human Services Agency Team Lead at the Department of Finance and Administration’s State Budget Division.
He has also served as Chief Financial Officer for the Indian Affairs Department and as Budget Director for both the Taxation and Revenue Department and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. In these roles, he led complex budgeting processes, financial oversight, and strategic planning efforts that supported critical statewide programs and services.
In his current role, Drew leverages his extensive financial and operational expertise to support division-wide operations, strengthen internal processes, and enhance coordination across programs. He is committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility, improving organizational efficiency, and supporting the division’s mission of responsible resource development, environmental stewardship, and public service for the State of New Mexico.

Drew holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Management from New Mexico Highlands University.