An Indian mineral owner that wishes to enter into a minerals agreement may ask the Secretary for advice, assistance, and information during the negotiation process. The Secretary shall provide advice, assistance, and information to the extent allowed by available resources.

No particular form of minerals agreement is prescribed. In preparing the minerals agreement the Indian mineral owner shall, if applicable, address provisions including, but not limited to, the following:

A general statement identifying the parties to the minerals agreement, the legal description of the lands, including, if applicable, rock intervals or thicknesses subject to the minerals agreement, and the purposes of the minerals agreement;

A statement setting forth the duration of the minerals agreement;

A statement providing indemnification to the Indian mineral owner(s) and the United States from all claims, liabilities and causes of action that may be made by persons not a party to the minerals agreement;

Provisions setting forth the obligations of the contracting parties;

Provisions describing the methods of disposition of production;

Provisions outlining the method of payment and amount of compensation to be paid;

Provisions establishing accounting and mineral valuation procedures;

Provisions establishing operating and management procedures;

Provisions establishing any limitations on assignment of interests, including any right of first refusal by the Indian mineral owner in the event of a proposed assignment;

Bond requirements;

Insurance requirements;

Provisions establishing audit procedures;

Provisions for resolving disputes;

A force majeure provision;

Provisions describing the rights of the parties to terminate or suspend the minerals agreement, and the procedures to be followed in the event of termination or suspension;

Provisions describing the nature and schedule of the activities to be conducted by the parties;

Provisions describing the proposed manner and time of performance of future abandonment, reclamation and restoration activities;

Provisions for reporting production and sales;

Provisions for unitizing or communitizing of lands included in a minerals agreement for the purpose of promoting conservation and efficient utilization of natural resources;

Provisions for protection of the minerals agreement lands from drainage and/or unauthorized taking of mineral resources; and

Provisions for record keeping.

In order to avoid delays in obtaining approval, the Indian mineral owner is encouraged to confer with the Secretary prior to formally executing the minerals agreement, and seek advice as to whether the minerals agreement appears to satisfy the requirements of § 225.22, or whether additions or corrections may be required in order to obtain Secretarial approval.

The executed minerals agreement, together with a copy of a tribal resolution authorizing tribal officers to enter into the minerals agreement, shall be forwarded by the tribal representative to the appropriate Superintendent, or in the absence of a Superintendent to the Area Director, for approval.