Doing Business in Minnesota
Business Assistance
The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) has supported some of the advanced stage mineral development projects through its economic development program.
IRRRB Business Assistance Programs
Ryan Malich
Executive Director of Development
Dept Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation
(218) 275-3041
ryan.malich@state.mn.us
Foreign Direct Investment
Minnesota is a great business investment destination for foreign capital. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's Office of Foreign Direct Investment is available to help foreign companies explore the advantages of expanding or relocating in Minnesota.
Office of Foreign Direct Investment
Elise Buchen
Business Development Manager
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
(651) 259-7481
elise.buchen@state.mn.us
Business Registration
The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office provides information about doing business in Minnesota. DEED's Minnesota Business First Stop streamlines the development process for business expansions and relocations that involve financing, licensing, permitting and regulatory issues that overlap multiple state agencies.
Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State
MN Secretary of State
(651) 296-2803
(877) 551-6767 (toll-free)
secretary.state@state.mn.us
Minnesota Business First Stop
(651) 259-7463
(855) 893-2099 (toll-free)
firststop@state.mn.us
Minerals Tax Information
The Minnesota Department of Revenue, Minerals Tax Office provides information about all mining-related taxes paid by the mining industry.
Office of the Department of Revenue, Minerals Tax Information ยป
Bob Wagstrom
Engineering Specialist Senior
Minnesota Department of Revenue - Special Tax - Minerals
(218) 735-3146
bob.wagstrom@state.mn.us
Leasing State-owned Mineral Rights
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources administers more than 12 million acres of state-owned mineral rights. Contact Susan Damon to register and to obtain a list of state mineral rights continuously available through application for nonferrous metallic mineral leasing.
Joseph Henderson
Director
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Lands and Minerals Division
(651) 259-5961
joseph.henderson@state.mn.us
Exploration Drilling
In Minnesota, there is a license requirement for the drilling company and a qualification requirement for any geologist who supervises exploration drilling. Contact the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for complete information on exploration rules and the DNR registration requirements contact the DNR.
MDH Explorer and Exploratory Borings Webpage
Cheyanne Dusek
Exploration Compliance Administrator
Minnesota DNR
cheyanne.dusek@state.mn.us
Teresa Purrington
Health Program Management Senior
Minnesota Department of Health
(651) 201-4519
teresa.purrington@state.mn.us
Environmental Permitting
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is the state agency responsible for issuing environmental permits including air, water and waste permits.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Theresa Haugen
Manager
MPCA Water and Mining Section
(218) 3162-3920
theresa.haugen@state.mn.us
Mine and Gas Permitting
The MNDNR administers mineland reclamation and permitting for active taconite mines and permitting for nonferrous metallic minerals and gases.
Minnesota DNR Permitting and Mineland Reclamation
Mike Liljegren
Assistant Director
Lands & Minerals
(651) 259-5689
michael.liljegren@state.mn.us
Geoscience Information
The Minnesota Geological Survey provides geological maps, the state aeromagnetic survey, mineral resource studies, and much more.
Rober Tipping
Executive Director
Minnesota Geological Survey
(612) 626-2150
tippi001@umn.edu
New Mineral Exploration Information
DNR geologists undertake new geological and geochemical surveys that supplement historical mineral exploration data on state-managed mineral rights. The Minerals, Metallurgy & Mining Initiative at the NRRI is an academic center for ferrous and nonferrous mineral resource characterizations.
DNR Mineral Potential Evaluations
NRRI Minerals, Metallurgy, and Mining Initiative
Heather Arends
Manager
Minnesota DNR Mineral Potential Section
(651) 259-5376
heather.arends@state.mn.us
Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI)
NRRI solves industry challenges, identifies unique market niches and provides technical innovation.
NRRI Minerals, Metallurgy & Mining
Rolf Weberg
Executive Director
NRRI
(218) 788-2697
rtweberg@d.umn.edu