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.

Drew Roybal-Chavez has served as Deputy Division Director of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Mining and Minerals Division (MMD) since September 2025. He provides executive leadership for the Division’s strategic operations, financial management, policy development, legislative initiatives, and administrative functions while supporting the Division Director in advancing the Division’s mission. He oversees the Division’s Mining Act Reclamation Program (MARP), Abandoned Mine Lands Program (AMLP), Coal Mine Reclamation Program (CMRP), Mine Registration, Reporting and Safeguarding Program (MRRSP), and Financial Services Section (FSS).

With more than 19 years of executive leadership experience in New Mexico state government, Drew has held senior financial and operational leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer for the Indian Affairs Department, Budget Director for the Taxation and Revenue Department and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department, and Principal Executive Budget Analyst and Health and Human Services Team Lead for the Department of Finance and Administration. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from New Mexico Highlands University and is committed to strengthening responsible resource management, organizational excellence, and collaboration with local, state, federal, Tribal, and industry partners.