Competitive bidding for mineral leases (other than oil and gas) on restricted lands belonging to individual Indians will be the rule rather than the exception under new Federal regulations announced today by Acting Secretary of the Interior Clarence A. Davis.
Under the regulations previously in effect, potential lessees frequently negotiated mineral leases with individual. Indian landowners after obtaining permission to do so from the local superintendent of the Indian Bureau. The new regulations require competitive bidding except where the Commissioner of Indian Affairs determines that a negotiated lease would be especially advantageous to the Indian owner.
In recommending the change in regulations, Commissioner Glenn L. Emmons pointed out that “in view of the increased mining activity on Indian lands, the best interests of the Indians will be served by requiring that leases be advertised for bids and that negotiations be the exception."
