reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.461 — Peat Lands.

92.461 PEAT LANDS.
Subdivision 1.
Peat lands withdrawn from sale.
All lands now or hereafter owned by the state which are chiefly valuable by reason of deposits of peat in commercial quantities are withdrawn from sale.
Subd. 2.
Examination by commissioner.
Before any state land is offered for sale the commissioner of natural resources must examine it to determine whether the land is chiefly valuable by reason of deposits of peat in commercial quantities.
History:
(6433-1, 2) 1935 c 322; 1949 c 453 s 1,2; 1969 c 1129 art 10 s 2; 1985 c 265 art 3 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.501 — Leasing Lands To Farm Wild Rice.

92.501 LEASING LANDS TO FARM WILD RICE.
Subdivision 1.
Authority to lease.
The commissioner of natural resources in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture may, at a public or private lease sale and at the prices and under the terms and conditions the commissioners may prescribe, lease any state-owned lands under the commissioner's jurisdiction and control for the purpose of farming of wild rice. Priority must be given to lands which are accessible and adjacent to existing wild rice production areas and requested for leasing by wild rice producers. The term of a lease under this section must be offered for a minimum of 20 years but may be for a shorter period at the option of the lessee. If a lease is issued prior to the adoption of the rules for the implementation of this section and for a period of less than 20 years, the lease must be converted to a minimum 20-year lease after the rules have been adopted, at the option of the lessee. Leases must be accepted or denied within 60 days of application. If a lease is denied, written notice must be given stating reasons for denial. The lease rate must be adjusted every five years to reflect market values. The money received from the leases under this section must be credited to the account that receives the proceeds of a sale of the land.
Subd. 2.
Land designation and development.
The commissioner of natural resources and the commissioner of agriculture shall prepare a plan that designates state land for wild rice production including an inventory of the number of acres of land appropriate and suitable for wild rice development and leasing in each county. Proposed mineral exploration does not exempt land from being designated for wild rice development.
Subd. 3.
Rules.
The commissioner of natural resources may adopt rules to implement this section.
History:
1985 c 276 s 8; 1986 c 398 art 18 s 2,3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.502 — Leasing Tax-forfeited And State Lands.

92.502 LEASING TAX-FORFEITED AND STATE LANDS.
(a) Notwithstanding section 282.04 or other law to the contrary, St. Louis County may enter a 30-year lease of tax-forfeited land for a wind energy project.
(b) The commissioner of natural resources may enter a 30-year lease of land administered by the commissioner for a wind energy project.
(c) The commissioner of natural resources may enter a 30-year lease of land administered by the commissioner for recreational trails or facilities. The commissioner may assess the lease applicant a monitoring fee to cover the projected reasonable costs of monitoring construction of the recreational trail or facility and preparing special terms and conditions of the license to ensure proper construction. The commissioner must give the applicant an estimate of the monitoring fee before the applicant is required to submit the fee. Upon completion of construction of the trail or facility, the commissioner must refund the unobligated balance from the monitoring fee revenue.
(d) Notwithstanding section 282.04 or other law to the contrary, Lake and St. Louis Counties may enter into 30-year leases of tax-forfeited land for recreational trails and facilities.
History:
2008 c 368 art 1 s 24; 2018 c 186 s 3; 1Sp2021 c 6 art 2 s 47; 2023 c 9 s 4
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.503 — Conservation Planning Leases.

92.503 CONSERVATION PLANNING LEASES.
The commissioner of natural resources may lease state-owned lands as defined in section 92.01 for a term not to exceed 21 years for the purpose of investigating, analyzing, and developing conservation easements that provide ecosystem services benefits. Leases granted under this section are not subject to section 92.50, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), with respect to Executive Council approval for commercial leases or section 92.50, subdivision 1, paragraph (d).
History:
1Sp2021 c 6 art 2 s 48
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.51 — Taxation; Redemption; Special Certificate.

92.51 TAXATION; REDEMPTION; SPECIAL CERTIFICATE.
State lands sold by the director become taxable. A description of the tract sold, with the name of the purchaser, must be transmitted to the proper county auditor. The auditor must extend the land for taxation like other land. Only the interest in the land vested by the land sale certificate in its holder may be sold for delinquent taxes.
History:
(6323) RL s 2439; 1909 c 114 s 1; 1985 c 265 art 3 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1999 c 243 art 13 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.685 — Land Management Account.

92.685 LAND MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.
The land management account is created in the natural resources fund. Money credited to the account is appropriated annually to the commissioner of natural resources to administer the utility easement program under section 84.415, the easement program under section 84.63, the road easement program under section 84.631, the easement release program under section 84.632, and the trail easement program under section 85.015, subdivision 1b.
History:
1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 76; 2009 c 37 art 1 s 26
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.69 — Endowment Account.

92.69 ENDOWMENT ACCOUNT.
Subdivision 1.
Proceeds of land acquisition account.
To ensure educational opportunities provided by Minnesota scientific and natural areas as described in section 86A.05, subdivision 5, are adequately available for present and future generations, the proceeds received under Laws 1986, chapter 449, sections 1 to 3 that are credited to the land acquisition account under section 94.165 must be spent on scientific and natural areas.
Subd. 2.
Account.
(a) A natural areas legacy endowment account is established in the state treasury. The commissioner of natural resources shall accept private contributions for educational opportunities provided by scientific and natural areas and deposit the contributions in the account. The principal deposited in the account shall be retained in the endowment account.
(b) The interest from the principal may be spent by the commissioner of natural resources for the protection, management, and inventory of lands with rare and endangered species or undisturbed plant communities that qualify as state scientific and natural areas under section 86A.05, subdivision 5.
History:
1986 c 449 s 4
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.71 — Direct Sale To Department Employee Prohibited.

92.71 DIRECT SALE TO DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE PROHIBITED.
An employee of the Department of Natural Resources is prohibited from purchasing land owned or formerly owned by the state and administered by the department for six months following the transfer of title from the state to an organization or person not an employee of the department.
History:
1991 c 176 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.72 — Payment Of Taxes And Assessments.

92.72 PAYMENT OF TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS.
Subdivision 1.
Cancellation of certificate of sale.
If the state acquires an interest in real property prior to the cancellation of a certificate of sale or upon completion of the cancellation process by advertisement or court order, the state must make provision to pay all taxes, interests, costs, penalties, and assessments. The commissioner of natural resources must request the certificate of sale vendee to make a good faith attempt to pay the debt. If the commissioner determines that the vendee is unwilling or unable to pay the debt, the commissioner may pay the debt and seek redress against the vendee.
Subd. 2.
Voluntary and involuntary reversions.
(a) If a grantee on a certificate of sale or state deed desires the state to exercise its reversionary interest in real property, the grantee must pay all real estate taxes, costs, interest, penalties, and assessments on the property prior to reversion.
(b) If a grantee on a certificate of sale or state deed breaches the contractual terms of the certificate or deed, the commissioner of natural resources must request the grantee to make a good faith attempt to pay all real estate taxes, costs, interest, penalties, and assessments on the property prior to reversion. If the commissioner determines that the grantee is unwilling or unable to pay the debt, the commissioner may pay the debt and seek redress against the grantee.
History:
1997 c 216 s 74
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.82 — Private Sale Of Surplus State Land Within Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness; Cook, Lake, And St. Louis Counties.

92.82 PRIVATE SALE OF SURPLUS STATE LAND WITHIN BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS; COOK, LAKE, AND ST. LOUIS COUNTIES.
(a) Notwithstanding sections 92.06, 92.13, 92.14, 92.45, 94.09, and 94.10, the commissioner of natural resources may sell to the United States by private sale the surplus land, including the land bordering public water, that is described in paragraph (d).
(b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the attorney general. The attorney general may make necessary changes to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
(c) Notwithstanding sections 92.115, 92.12, and 94.10, an appraisal of the lands is not required, and the value of the lands shall be determined in the same manner as the exchange with the United States of other state-owned lands within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
(d) The land that may be sold is state-owned land under the control of the commissioner of natural resources and located within the boundary of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Cook, Lake, and St. Louis Counties. The state-owned lands may include the state land for which the school trust interest was extinguished through condemnation, university lands granted to the state by acts of Congress, and all other lands acquired by the state in any manner and under the control of the commissioner of natural resources.
(e) Conveyance of state lands within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the United States will preserve the spectacular wild areas while producing economic benefits for the state.
(f) Payment for state lands for which the school trust interest was extinguished through condemnation shall be used to pay the award under the condemnation action.
History:
2012 c 236 s 5
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 92 — State Lands; Sales; Investment Of Proceeds › Section 92.83 — Condemnation Of School Trust Land.

92.83 CONDEMNATION OF SCHOOL TRUST LAND.
Subdivision 1.
Purpose.
The purpose of this section is to extinguish the school trust interest in school trust lands where long-term economic return is prohibited by designation or policy while producing economic benefits for Minnesota's public schools. For the purposes of satisfying the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, section 8, which limits the sale of school trust lands to a public sale, the commissioner of natural resources shall acquire school trust lands through condemnation, as provided in subdivision 2.
Subd. 2.
Condemnation proceedings.
When the commissioner of natural resources has determined sufficient money is available to acquire any of the lands identified under section 84.027, subdivision 18, paragraph (c), the commissioner shall proceed to extinguish the school trust interest by condemnation action. When requested by the commissioner, the attorney general shall commence condemnation of the identified school trust lands.
Subd. 3.
Payment.
The portion of the payment of the award and judgment that is for the value of the land shall be deposited into the permanent school fund. The remainder of the award and judgment payment shall first be remitted for reimbursement to the accounts from which expenses were paid, with any remainder deposited into the permanent school fund.
Subd. 4.
Account.
The school trust lands account is created in the state treasury. Money credited to the account is appropriated to the commissioner of natural resources for the purposes of this section.
History:
1Sp2015 c 4 art 4 s 65
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.001 — Policy For Mineral Development.

93.001 POLICY FOR MINERAL DEVELOPMENT.
It is the policy of the state to provide for the diversification of the state's mineral economy through long-term support of mineral exploration, evaluation, environmental research, development, production, and commercialization.
History:
1987 c 386 art 7 s 1; 1993 c 113 art 2 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.0015 — Mineral Coordinating Committee.

93.0015 MINERAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE.
Subdivision 1.
Establishment; membership.
The Mineral Coordinating Committee is established to plan for diversified mineral development. The Mineral Coordinating Committee consists of:
(1) the commissioner of natural resources;
(2) the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency;
(3) the commissioner of Iron Range resources and rehabilitation;
(4) the director of the Minnesota Geological Survey;
(5) the dean of the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology;
(6) the director of the Natural Resources Research Institute; and
(7) four individuals appointed by the governor for a four-year term, one each representing the iron ore and taconite, nonferrous metallic minerals, and industrial minerals industries within the state and one representing labor.
Subd. 2.
Staffing.
The commissioner of natural resources shall serve as chair of the committee. A member of the committee may designate another person of the member's organization to act in the member's place. The commissioner shall provide staff and administrative services necessary for the committee's activities.
Subd. 3.
Expiration.
The committee expires June 30, 2026.
Subd. 4.
Advice.
The Mineral Coordinating Committee is encouraged to solicit and receive advice from representatives of the United States Geological Survey, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and United States Department of Energy.
History:
1Sp2003 c 13 s 5; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 77; 2011 c 107 s 47,48; 2014 c 286 art 8 s 10; 2016 c 189 art 3 s 31
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.003 — Iron Mining; Conditions.

93.003 IRON MINING; CONDITIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Duty to maintain mine.
Legal authority to mine and process iron ore, a basic irreplaceable natural resource of the people of the state of Minnesota, is subject to the conditions of this section. When the owner or operator of an iron mine or related production or beneficiation facilities determines to discontinue the operation of the mine or facilities for any reason it shall maintain the mine or facilities in salable operating condition for at least two years after it discontinues operation in order to allow the state of Minnesota and other interested public and private bodies to seek a new owner and operator. The requirement imposed by this section is a preliminary and permanent requirement on the right of an owner to commence or continue the operation of an iron mine or related facilities. This requirement is enforceable on all owners and operators and successors of owners and operators and shall be enforced by the state in any action in bankruptcy or other litigation that may affect it.
Subd. 2.
Temporary maintenance plan.
At least 60 days before the owner or operator of an iron mine or related production or beneficiation facilities determines to discontinue the operation of the mine or facilities, it shall submit a temporary maintenance plan to the state for approval. The plan must provide for:
(1) the orderly shutdown of the mine and facilities, including:
(i) movement of all mobile equipment to an area above the high-water mark;
(ii) drainage of water from all bins, mills, thickeners, storage tanks, water lines, and slurry lines; and
(iii) the emptying and cleaning of all tailings handling equipment, including thickeners, pipes, belts, and bins;
(2) health, safety, and security, including:
(i) security of any blasting materials and hazardous materials;
(ii) provisions for fire prevention; and
(iii) staffing for security;
(3) maintenance of mine, plant facilities, and tailing basins, including:
(i) supplying heat or cooling where needed;
(ii) maintenance of utility lines needed to support the property;
(iii) maintenance of mills, grates, kilns, coolers, and other machinery in running condition;
(iv) taking dust prevention measures; and
(v) maintenance of tailings dikes, water level controls, water runoff control structures, and erosion controls;
(4) compliance with all permit requirements; and
(5) a schedule for reporting periodically to the state on all maintenance activities and any plans to liquidate assets.
History:
1993 c 107 s 1; 2001 c 30 s 1; 2003 c 113 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.01 — Reservation Of Minerals And Water Powers.

93.01 RESERVATION OF MINERALS AND WATER POWERS.
The state hereby reserves for its own use all the iron, coal, copper, gold, and other valuable minerals, and all water powers in or upon all lands which now or hereafter may belong to it by virtue of any act of Congress. This reservation shall not apply to lands granted or contracted to be conveyed by the United States or by this state to aid in the construction of any railroad.
History:
(6395) RL s 2483; 1909 c 109 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.02 — Instruments Transferring Interest; Reservation.

93.02 INSTRUMENTS TRANSFERRING INTEREST; RESERVATION.
When any such land is sold, granted, conveyed, or transferred in any way the certificate of sale, patent, or other instrument of transfer shall state that the sale, grant, conveyance, or transfer does not include any right, title, or interest in or to any iron, coal, copper, gold, or other valuable minerals which may be in or upon the land and that all these minerals are reserved by the state for its own use; but no instrument shall be effective to transfer any right, title, or interest in or to any such minerals, notwithstanding the failure of the proper officer to insert such statement.
History:
(6396) RL s 2484
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.03 — Patent Under Land Grant To Railroad; Reservation.

93.03 PATENT UNDER LAND GRANT TO RAILROAD; RESERVATION.
In all cases where the state of Minnesota shall execute any patent or conveyance of lands under any land grant heretofore made to any railroad company to aid in the construction of any railroad there shall be expressly reserved to and retained in the state of Minnesota all the iron, coal, copper, gold, and other valuable minerals in or upon all such lands and the commissioner of management and budget is hereby prohibited from executing or delivering any patent or instrument of conveyance which shall not contain the reservations aforesaid.
History:
(6397) 1913 c 6 s 1; 1973 c 492 s 14; 2009 c 101 art 2 s 109
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.04 — Disposition Of Minerals Reserved.

93.04 DISPOSITION OF MINERALS RESERVED.
All minerals in or upon lands which have been or may be sold, granted, conveyed, or in any way transferred by the state shall remain subject to sale, lease, or contract by the state upon the same terms and conditions as are minerals upon lands belonging to the state; and the state and all persons claiming under it shall have the right to enter upon these lands and to prospect for, mine, and remove such minerals and, for this purpose, to construct all necessary roads, buildings, and improvements thereon, including machinery for mining or removing such minerals. All such minerals shall be disposed of by the commissioner in the same manner and on the same terms as minerals on lands belonging to the state.
History:
(6398) RL s 2485
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.05 — Holder Of Lease.

93.05 HOLDER OF LEASE.
Subdivision 1.
Right of entry.
In all cases where state lands have been heretofore or may hereafter be sold pursuant to the provisions of law upon which minerals have been reserved, the holder of any mineral lease subsequently issued thereon may nevertheless enter upon the lands and prospect on the lands under the lease.
Subd. 2.
Security for damages; condemnation.
Before entering upon lands described in subdivision 1, the lease holder shall pay or secure to the owner of the lands all damages which may arise therefrom and the same may be determined either by mutual agreement or, if the interested parties cannot agree, then the holder of the mineral lease may, in the name of the state of Minnesota, institute proceedings to condemn the same according to chapter 117; provided, that the state shall bear no part of the cost of these proceedings, nor pay any part of the damages awarded in the proceedings.
Subd. 3.
Attorney general to institute condemnation.
(a) Upon written request of the holder of any mineral lease from the state, not in default, with the approval of the commissioner of natural resources, the attorney general shall institute, in the name of the state, proceedings to acquire by condemnation any lands, rights-of-way, drainage or flowage rights, easements or other interests necessary in connection with prospecting for or mining the ore covered by the lease. All costs and expenses of the proceedings and all damages awarded therein shall be paid by the holder of the lease.
(b) In any eminent domain proceedings under this section, any value which the land taken may have by reason of its location or availability for the depositing of stripping, tailings or other wastes from general mining operations in its vicinity, or for the erection of buildings or structures thereon in connection with such operations, shall be considered in determining the damages to be awarded the owner of the land.
History:
(6399, 6400) 1907 c 411 s 1,2; 1949 c 593 s 1; 1969 c 1129 art 10 s 2; 1986 c 444; 2000 c 495 s 9
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.055 — Action To Quiet Title To Lands Covered By Mineral Lease.

93.055 ACTION TO QUIET TITLE TO LANDS COVERED BY MINERAL LEASE.
Upon written request of the holder of any mineral lease from the state, not in default, with the approval of the commissioner of natural resources, the attorney general may institute proceedings to quiet the title and determine adverse claims or to register the title of the state to the lands or interests covered by the lease. All costs and expenses of the proceedings including compensation of attorneys for the state shall be paid by the holder of the lease.
History:
1949 c 594 s 1; 1969 c 1129 art 10 s 2; 1986 c 444; 2000 c 495 s 10
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.06 — Reservation Of Minerals Under Navigable Lakes.

93.06 RESERVATION OF MINERALS UNDER NAVIGABLE LAKES.
All iron ores and other minerals on, in or under lands within this state which lie beneath the waters of navigable lakes and rivers belong to the state, together with the right to enter upon such lands and explore for and mine and remove such iron ore and other minerals and that the state now has and since its organization has had the right to sell, lease, or otherwise use or dispose of such mineral lands and such iron ores and other minerals in the same manner as any other mineral lands, ores, or minerals belonging to the state, and that the title of the state to such iron ore or other minerals, together with the right to explore for, mine, or remove the same, shall not be affected by the subsequent drying up of such lakes or rivers.
History:
(6401) 1909 c 49 s 1; 1947 c 521 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.14 — Leases To Prospect For Ores.

93.14 LEASES TO PROSPECT FOR ORES.
The commissioner may execute leases to prospect for iron ore and other ores upon lands belonging to the state or in which the state has an interest and for the mining of the ores, subject to the conditions provided in sections 93.15 to 93.28.
History:
(6403) 1921 c 412 s 1; 1925 c 395 s 1; 1927 c 389 s 1; 2000 c 495 s 11
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.15 — Mining Units; Designation.

93.15 MINING UNITS; DESIGNATION.
Subdivision 1.
Designating mining units.
(a) The commissioner of natural resources may designate any lands belonging to the state and the beds of any waters belonging to the state or any lands in which the state has an interest as mining units and may rearrange or modify the mining units from time to time, subject to the limitations of this section.
(b) No mining unit shall contain lands belonging to more than one permanent trust fund, except mining units leased under section 93.25.
(c) Lands which have been sold by the state and are in use as part of the site of a plant for the production of taconite concentrates shall not be designated as mining units.
Subd. 2.
List of mining units.
The commissioner shall prepare and keep on file in the Office of the Division of Lands and Minerals of the Department of Natural Resources and at such other places as the commissioner may direct a list of the mining units designated under this section, giving the descriptions of the mining units and such other information as the commissioner deems necessary. In case the commissioner shall prescribe special conditions to be included in a lease for any mining unit as authorized by law, a statement of the conditions shall be included with the designation of the unit in the list.
Subd. 3.
One mining unit per lease.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, each mining lease shall cover only one entire mining unit designated under this section.
History:
(6404) 1921 c 412 s 2; 1925 c 395 s 1; 1927 c 389 s 1; 1941 c 546 s 1; 1943 c 233 s 1; 1951 c 547 s 1; 1953 c 558 s 1; 1969 c 1129 art 10 s 2; 1986 c 444; 2000 c 495 s 12
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.16 — Leases; Sale And Notice.

93.16 LEASES; SALE AND NOTICE.
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, leases for iron ore or other minerals belonging to the state shall be issued only upon public sale as provided under this section.
(b) The sale of leases shall be held at such times and places as designated by the commissioner.
(c) The commissioner shall give public notice of intent to hold a public sale by publication in the State Register, the EQB Monitor, and such other publications as the commissioner may direct at least 90 days prior to the proposed date of sale.
(d) The commissioner shall give public notice of each sale by publication for three successive weeks in a newspaper that has its known office of issue in the county seat of the county in which the mining units to be leased are located and in a daily newspaper printed and published in Hibbing and Virginia. If no newspaper has its known office of issue in the county seat of a particular county, the commissioner shall publish notice in the newspaper designated as the publisher of the official proceedings of the county board of that county. The first publication shall be at least 30 days before the date of sale. The public notice of sale shall also be published in the State Register and the EQB Monitor at least 30 days before the date of sale and may be published in additional newspapers and trade magazines, as the commissioner may direct.
(e) Each notice shall contain the following information:
(1) time and place of holding the sale;
(2) the place or places where the list of mining units to be offered for sale will be available for inspection and where forms for bids and applications for leases may be obtained; and
(3) such other information as the commissioner may direct.
History:
(6405) 1921 c 412 s 3; 1925 c 395 s 1; 1927 c 389 s 1; Ex1933 c 14 s 1; 1941 c 546 s 2; 1951 c 547 s 2; 1991 c 194 s 1; 2000 c 495 s 13
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.17 — Application For Leases; Bids; Awards.

93.17 APPLICATION FOR LEASES; BIDS; AWARDS.
Subdivision 1.
Lease application.
(a) Applications for leases to prospect for iron ore shall be presented to the commissioner in writing in such form as the commissioner may prescribe at any time before 4:30 p.m., St. Paul, Minnesota time, on the last business day before the day specified for the opening of bids, and no bids submitted after that time shall be considered. The application shall be accompanied by a certified check, cashier's check, or bank money order payable to the Department of Natural Resources in the sum of $100 for each mining unit.
(b) Each application shall be accompanied by a sealed bid setting forth the amount of royalty per gross ton of crude ore based upon the iron content of the ore when dried at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, in its natural condition or when concentrated, as set out in section 93.20, subdivisions 12 to 18, that the applicant proposes to pay to the state of Minnesota in case the lease shall be awarded.
Subd. 2.
Bid requirements.
(a) Whenever a bid on any mining unit exceeds the minimums prescribed in section 93.20, the bidder shall offer a uniform amount above the minimums on all schedules unless the mining unit is expressly excepted from this requirement by the commissioner of natural resources by so specifying in the list of lands and mining units.
(b) The envelope containing each bid shall be plainly marked on the outside showing the date of application, date received by the commissioner, and the name of the applicant. The commissioner shall endorse upon each application and sealed bid the exact time of presentation and preserve the same unopened in the commissioner's office.
Subd. 3.
Bid acceptance.
(a) At the time and place fixed for the sale, the commissioner shall publicly announce the number of applications and bids received. The commissioner shall then publicly open the bids and announce the amount of each bid separately. Thereafter, the commissioner, together with the Executive Council, shall award the leases to the highest bidders for the respective mining units, but no bids shall be accepted that do not equal or exceed the minimum amounts provided for in section 93.20, nor shall any bid be accepted that does not comply with the law. The right is reserved to the state to reject any and all bids.
(b) All applications for leases and bids not accepted at the sale shall become void at the close of the sale and the payment accompanying the applications and bids shall be returned to the applicants entitled to them.
(c) Upon the award of a lease, the payment submitted with the application as provided by subdivision 1 shall be deposited with the commissioner of management and budget as a fee for the lease.
History:
(6406) 1921 c 412 s 4; 1925 c 395 s 1; 1927 c 389 s 1; 1941 c 546 s 3; 1949 c 434 s 1; 1951 c 547 s 3; 1969 c 1129 art 10 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 194 s 2,3; 2000 c 495 s 14; 2003 c 112 art 2 s 50; 2009 c 101 art 2 s 109
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.171 — Eligibility And Performance.

93.171 ELIGIBILITY AND PERFORMANCE.
Subdivision 1.
Eligibility.
Applicants for leases and lease holders under this chapter must meet the definition of responsible vendor as provided in rules adopted under chapter 16C.
Subd. 2.
Performance.
A current lease holder is subject to suspension and debarment under chapter 16C and rules adopted under chapter 16C.
History:
1Sp2019 c 4 art 3 s 43
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.1925 — Negotiated Leases.

93.1925 NEGOTIATED LEASES.
Subdivision 1.
Conditions required.
When the commissioner finds that the best interests of the state will be served and the circumstances in clause (1), (2), or (3) exist, the commissioner, with the approval of the Executive Council, may issue an iron ore or taconite iron ore mining lease through negotiations to an applicant. A lease may be issued through negotiations under any of the following circumstances:
(1) the state taconite iron ore is adjacent to taconite iron ore owned or leased for mining purposes by the applicant and the commissioner finds that it is impracticable to mine the state taconite iron ore except in conjunction with the mining of the adjacent ore;
(2) the lands to be leased are primarily valuable for their natural iron ore content; or
(3) the state's mineral ownership interest in the lands to be leased is an undivided fractional interest and the applicant holds under control a majority of the remaining undivided fractional mineral interests in the lands to be leased.
Subd. 2.
Application.
(a) An application for a negotiated lease shall be submitted to the commissioner of natural resources. The commissioner shall prescribe the information to be included in the application. The applicant shall submit with the application a certified check, cashier's check, or bank money order, payable to the Department of Natural Resources in the sum of $100, as a fee for filing the application. The application fee shall not be refunded under any circumstances.
(b) The right is reserved to the state to reject any or all applications for a negotiated lease.
Subd. 3.
Terms.
A lease issued under this section shall be in the form set forth in section 93.20, with such additional terms and conditions consistent with the lease as may be agreed upon. The rental and royalty rates agreed upon shall be not less than those prescribed in section 93.20.
History:
2000 c 495 s 15
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.193 — Taconite Iron Ore Mining Lease; Extension.

93.193 TACONITE IRON ORE MINING LEASE; EXTENSION.
Subdivision 1.
Application for extension.
Upon written application by the holder of any mining lease heretofore issued, or hereafter issued upon a prospecting permit heretofore issued, which has been designated as a taconite iron ore mining lease pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 93.19 or 93.191, the commissioner of natural resources, with the approval of the Executive Council, may extend the term of the lease for an additional period of 25 years beyond the term specified in the lease, upon the terms and conditions prescribed under this section. The additional period of 25 years for which the lease is extended shall be the extended period as the term is used in this section.
Subd. 2.
Royalty rates; other ores.
As a condition of receiving such extended period the applicant therefor shall agree that during the extended period the royalty rates specified in the lease for ores other than taconite or taconite concentrates shall not be applicable, and no such other ores or concentrates shall be removed except after the royalties and rentals to be paid therefor shall have been negotiated with and agreed to by the commissioner of natural resources, with the approval of the Executive Council. Until such royalty is agreed upon the lessee may mine and stockpile such other ores upon the leased premises, or other lands, pursuant to section 93.20, subdivision 28, if such mining is necessary or desirable in connection with the mining and removal of taconite.
Subd. 3.
Form; terms.
All applications for the extension of the term of such taconite iron mining leases shall be made within 18 months from April 27, 1957, and shall be in such form and contain such information as the commissioner may prescribe. Upon such application the commissioner and the applicant shall negotiate, and, with the approval of the Executive Council, shall determine the rentals and royalties to be paid for taconite or taconite concentrates or both during the extended period. Upon such determination the commissioner shall enter into an agreement providing for such rentals and royalties, and containing the other provisions required by this section, which agreement, upon due execution by the commissioner and the holder of such lease, shall be effective to extend the lease for the period hereinbefore specified.
History:
1957 c 722 s 1-3; 1969 c 1129 art 10 s 2; 2000 c 495 s 16
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.201 — Royalties For Taconite Concentrates.

93.201 ROYALTIES FOR TACONITE CONCENTRATES.
Subdivision 1.
Royalty on certain concentrates produced from taconite ore.
All ores or concentrates shipped from the lands covered by any lease under section 93.20 shall be classified and paid for under and in accordance with the particular schedule of said law properly applicable thereto. The royalty provided for taconite concentrates in section 93.20, schedule 7, shall be applicable to concentrates produced from taconite ores which, in accordance with good engineering and metallurgical practice, require treatment by fine grinding, magnetic separation, flotation, or some other method or methods other than or in addition to one or more of the methods specified in schedules 1 to 6, inclusive, of said section to make them suitable for blast furnace use.
Subd. 2.
Alternate royalty determination.
(a) In lieu of payment of such royalty on the taconite concentrates, royalty payments may be made on the taconite ore as defined herein. The method of computing the weight and the royalty rate per ton on such taconite ore shall be determined by agreement between the holder of the lease and the commissioner of natural resources. In case they are unable to agree, each shall choose an arbitrator, and the two thus selected shall choose a third. The decision of the arbitrators or any two of them shall be final and binding on the parties in interest. The agreement or the decision of the arbitrators shall be attached as a supplement to the lease. The holder of the lease shall reimburse the state for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the determination of weight of taconite ore.
(b) Taconite ore shall be understood to mean a ferruginous chert or ferruginous slate in the form of compact siliceous rock, in which the iron oxide is so finely disseminated that substantially all of the iron-bearing particles of merchantable grade are smaller than 20 mesh.
Subd. 3.
Applicability.
The provisions of subdivisions 1 and 2 for payment of royalty on taconite ore shall apply to existing leases as well as subsequent leases, subject to vested rights, if any, of the holders of existing leases.
History:
1943 c 233 s 3; 1949 c 616 s 1,2; 1957 c 158 s 1; 1969 c 1129 art 10 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.21 — Execution Of Lease.

93.21 EXECUTION OF LEASE.
The lease provided for in section 93.20 shall be signed by the commissioner for and in behalf of the state and shall be signed by the party of the second part in the presence of two witnesses, and the signatures and execution of the same by the party of the second part shall be duly acknowledged.
History:
(6410) 1921 c 412 s 8; 1925 c 395; 1927 c 389 s 1; 1986 c 444; 2000 c 495 s 17
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.22 — Disposition Of Payments.

93.22 DISPOSITION OF PAYMENTS.
Subdivision 1.
Generally.
(a) All payments under sections 93.14 to 93.285 shall be made to the Department of Natural Resources and shall be credited according to this section.
(b) Twenty percent of all payments under sections 93.14 to 93.285 shall be credited to the minerals management account in the natural resources fund as costs for the administration and management of state mineral resources by the commissioner of natural resources.
(c) The remainder of the payments shall be credited as follows:
(1) if the lands or minerals and mineral rights covered by a lease are held by the state by virtue of an act of Congress, payments made under the lease shall be credited to the permanent fund of the class of land to which the leased premises belong;
(2) if a lease covers the bed of navigable waters, payments made under the lease shall be credited to the permanent school fund of the state;
(3) if the lands or minerals and mineral rights covered by a lease are held by the state in trust for the taxing districts, payments made under the lease shall be distributed annually on the first day of September to the respective counties in which the lands lie, to be apportioned among the taxing districts interested therein as follows: county, three-ninths; town or city, two-ninths; and school district, four-ninths;
(4) if the lands or mineral rights covered by a lease became the absolute property of the state under the provisions of chapter 84A, payments made under the lease shall be distributed as follows: county containing the land from which the income was derived, five-eighths; and general fund of the state, three-eighths; and
(5) except as provided under this section and except where the disposition of payments may be otherwise directed by law, payments made under a lease shall be paid into the general fund of the state.
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 1Sp2003 c 9 art 5 s 37]
History:
(6411) 1921 c 412 s 9; 1925 c 395; 1927 c 389 s 1; 1973 c 492 s 14; 2000 c 495 s 18; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 1 s 1; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 78
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.222 — Taconite Iron Ore Special Advance Royalty Account.

93.222 TACONITE IRON ORE SPECIAL ADVANCE ROYALTY ACCOUNT.
The taconite iron ore special advance royalty account is created as an account in the state treasury for disposal of certain mineral lease money received under the terms of extension agreements adopted under section 93.193, relating to state iron ore or taconite iron ore mining leases. The principal of the account is distributed under the terms of the extension agreements to the account or entity entitled by applicable law and lease terms to receive the income from the class of land being leased. Interest accruing from investment of the account remains with the account until distributed as provided in this section. The interest accrued through June 30 under each extension agreement is distributed annually, as soon as possible after June 30, to the account or entity entitled by applicable law and lease terms to receive the income from the class of land being leased in the same proportion that the total acres included in a particular class of land bears to the total acreage of the leased land covered by each extension agreement. Money in the taconite iron ore special advance royalty account is appropriated for distribution as provided in this section.
History:
1989 c 335 art 1 s 80
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.2235 — Taconite Mining Grants; Appropriations.

93.2235 TACONITE MINING GRANTS; APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Commissioner.
(a) The commissioner shall establish a program to award grants to taconite mining companies for:
(1) taconite pellet product improvements;
(2) value-added production of taconite iron ore; or
(3) cost-savings production improvements at Minnesota taconite plants.
(b) An amount equal to the sum of money transferred to the general fund under section 93.223, subdivision 1, reduced by $100,000, is annually appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner for the purposes of this section.
Subd. 2.
Coleraine laboratory.
(a) The director of the Coleraine laboratory shall establish a program to award grants for the purpose of transferring technology from the Coleraine laboratory to taconite mining companies for:
(1) taconite pellet product improvements;
(2) value-added production of taconite iron ore; or
(3) cost-savings production improvements at Minnesota taconite plants.
(b) An amount equal to the sum of money transferred to the general fund under section 93.223, subdivision 2, is annually appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the purposes of this section.
History:
1Sp2001 c 6 art 1 s 3; 2002 c 220 art 8 s 11; 2014 c 275 art 1 s 14
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.2236 — Minerals Management Account.

93.2236 MINERALS MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.
(a) The minerals management account is created as an account in the natural resources fund. Interest earned on money in the account accrues to the account. Money in the account may be spent or distributed only as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c).
(b) If the balance in the minerals management account exceeds $3,000,000 on March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31, the amount exceeding $3,000,000 must be distributed to the permanent school fund, the permanent university fund, and taxing districts as provided in section 93.22, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). The amount distributed to each fund must be in the same proportion as the total mineral lease revenue received in the previous biennium from school trust lands, university lands, and lands held by the state in trust for taxing districts.
(c) Subject to appropriation by the legislature, money in the minerals management account may be spent by the commissioner of natural resources for mineral resource management and projects to enhance future mineral income and promote new mineral resource opportunities.
History:
1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 77; 2012 c 272 s 23; 2016 c 189 art 3 s 32
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 92 - 94 — Lands And Minerals › Chapter 93 — Mineral Lands › Section 93.245 — Mining Minerals Other Than Iron Ore.

93.245 MINING MINERALS OTHER THAN IRON ORE.
(a) If a mineral other than iron ore or taconite ore is found on or in a mining unit covered by a state iron ore or taconite iron ore mining lease, the state lessee may apply to the commissioner of natural resources for a negotiated lease to explore for, mine, and remove the mineral. The terms and conditions under which the mineral may be mined or products recovered shall be as agreed upon by the commissioner and the state lessee. A mineral lease for ores other than iron ore or taconite iron ore must comply with section 93.25 and rules adopted thereunder.
(b) The right is reserved to the state to reject any or all applications for a negotiated lease under paragraph (a). The state may lease, under section 93.25 and rules adopted thereunder, any minerals other than iron ore or taconite iron ore on or in a mining unit covered by a state iron ore or taconite iron ore mining lease.
History:
2000 c 495 s 19