Alberta's Ministry of Energy and Minerals manages the province's vast petroleum and mining sectors, which generate significant provincial revenues and employment. The ministry develops policies for oil sands development, conventional oil and gas extraction, and mineral exploration. It collects royalties from resource companies (payments for extracting publicly-owned resources), which fund provincial programs and services. Given that energy accounts for a major portion of Alberta's economy and government revenues, this ministry's decisions profoundly impact provincial finances, employment, and environmental outcomes. The ministry balances economic development with responsible resource management.