2000 Minnesota Statutes

     93.003 Iron mining; conditions. 

    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 
 one year 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. 

    HIST: 1993 c 107 s 1