Publications

Educational resources

A Handbook for Reclaiming Sand and Gravel Pits in Minnesota

A general reference for the development of site specific mining and reclamation plans, this handbook provides technical information to landowners, county officials, and operators on reclaiming sand and gravel pits.

Download the handbook This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (2.9Mb)

Reclaiming Minnesota's Minelands (2001)

In the tradition of Digging Into Minnesota Minerals(below), Reclaiming Minnesota's Minelands covers all aspects of "recycling" lands that have been mined in Minnesota in a colorful, user-friendly, and information-packed publication. It is presented in a 12 page, tabloid format most suitable for students in grades 4-6.

Included are basic mining and reclamation facts, taconite/metallic mineral/sand and gravel/peat mining reclamation, information on the importance of planning, careers and research, two experiments ("Acid, Base or Neutral--Can You Tell Just by Looking" and "Does Your Soil Hold Water"), other activities, and a glossary. A single free copy is available upon request. Educators can obtain classroom sets.

Digging Into Minnesota Minerals (1995)

Digging Into Minnesota Minerals is a colorful, user-friendly, and information-packed publication covering all aspects of minerals & mining in Minnesota. It is aimed especially at students in grades 4-6. Included are basic minerals facts, educational activities, maps, and a section on 'Geology Up Close in our State Parks.' A single free copy is available upon request. Educators can obtain classroom sets. Online sample.

Geology of Minnesota: A Guide for Teachers (1995)

This guide, a collaborative effort between the Division and the Minnesota Geological Survey, is a summary of our understanding of Minnesota's geology. It is intended for earth science teachers grade 6-8 and others who have an interest or some background in geology. A single free copy is available upon request, or you can download a scanned version This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. of the report.

Lake Agassiz Beach Ridges: A Coloring Book for Children This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (1997, 1.25 mb)

Through engaging line drawings, maps, and puzzles, this book introduces kids to idea of working cooperatively for balanced management of diverse natural resources. This is an interesting and entertaining way to provide information on the economic and natural heritage value of the beach ridges to future generations. While the focus is on Clay County, Minnesota, the concepts within the book have application throughout the Red River Valley. This book was distributed to all 3rd graders in Clay County on Earth Day 1997. No longer available in print.

Public Land and Mineral Ownership: A Guide for Teachers(2000).

This newly revised, 34 page guide is recommended as a resource to supplement discussions on Minnesota's history, government and geography. It is intended for high school teachers and other people interested in public land history and management. The subject areas covered by the publication are:

Origins of Federal Ownership
Public Land Survey
Federal Land Grants
Federal and State Acquisitions of Land, and
Mineral Rights.

There is also a section titled "Suggested Discussion or Research Topic," which identifies stories or topics for discussion in the classroom or for further research by students. A single free copy is available upon request. This document is now available in Adobe Acrobat format This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (4.5 MB); Get Acrobat Reader.

Fact sheets and maps

The Division publishes a series of fact sheets and maps for legislative and public reference. We provide them here in PDF format. Get Acrobat Reader.

The Establishment of a Permit to Mine Administration and Application Fee Schedule: This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (194 KB)
Report to the senate and house committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources finance. Published January 2009.

Conservation Easement Stewardship Report: This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (10 MB)
A report published in February 2011 that contains an inventory of DNR's conservation easements, DNR's conservation easement stewardship plan, estimates of funding needs and options for long-term conservation easement stewardship funding.

Minimum Standards for Conservation Easements: This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (147 KB)
A report published in February 2008 recommending minimum standards for conservation easements acquired with public monies.

Aggregate Mining and Reclamation: A series of fact sheets published January 2001.

Legislative Fact Sheets: A series of fact sheets published in early 2002. Also see below for the report Minnesota's School Trust Lands, produced in 2002 for the Legislature.

  • Environmental Cooperative Research This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (100KB/1 p., 2002): Fact sheet summarizing this program, including funding sources, and current and proposed research between the Division and external stakeholders.
  • Minerals Diversification This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (100KB/1 p., 2002): Fact sheet summarizing this program, including funding sources, and current and proposed research between the Division and external stakeholders.
  • Permanent University Fund This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (157 kb, 8 pages, revised 2013): Fact sheet presenting background information and updated summaries of interest distributions from the fund.
  • Taconite Mining Grants This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (100KB/1 p., 2002): Fact sheet summarizing new program to support innovation in the taconite mining industry.

Minnesota's School Trust Lands: Biennial Report for Fiscal Years 2010-2011 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011) (581 kb, 25 pages, March 2012). A report on management of and income from school trust lands, done at the request of the Legislature.

Land Acquisition Account Report FY 2009 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (99 kb, September 2009). Minnesota Statutes, section 94.1651 requires that the Commissioner of Natural Resources report land purchases and sales related to the Land Acquisition Account.

DNR Management of School Trust Lands This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (8 MB/69 pp., July 2010).  A report on the management of and income from school trust lands, done pursuant to Laws of Minnesota 2010, Chapter 361, Article 4, Section 70(a).

School Trust Lands – Analysis of Funding Mechanisms for Private and Public Use This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (97KB/19pp., January 2011). This report  provides advantages and disadvantages of mechanisms to compensate the trust for public and private use of school trust lands, done pursuant to Laws of Minnesota 2010, Chapter 361, Article 4, Section 70(b).

Minnesota's School Trust Lands: Biennial Report for Fiscal Years 2008-2009 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009) (1.5 mb, 28 pages, December 2009). A report on management of and income from school trust lands, done at the request of the Legislature.

Minnesota's School Trust Lands: Biennial Report for Fiscal Years 2006-2007 (July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007) This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (1,350Kb/24 pp., November 2008). A report on management of and income from school trust lands, done at the request of the Legislature.

Minnesota's School Trust Lands: Biennial Report for Fiscal Years 2004-2005 (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005) This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (574Kb/27 pp., March 2006). A report on management of and income from school trust lands, done at the request of the Legislature.

School Trust Land Revenue Enhancement Program Report This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (1.58 MB/31 pp., December 2007). A report that examines the potential to enhance school trust revenue with certain real estate related activities.

Minnesota's School Trust Lands: Biennial Report for Fiscal Years 2002-2003 (July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003) This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (4.8MB/23 pp., February 2004). A report on management of and income from school trust lands, done at the request of the Legislature.

Minnesota's School Trust Lands: Biennial Report for Fiscal Years 2000-2001 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2001) (2 mb, 21 pages, February 2002). A report on management of and income from school trust lands, done at the request of the Legislature.

Mineral Rights Ownership in Minnesota This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (20 KB/2 pp., revised 2000): Fact sheet presents legal overview of mineral ownership and the severed mineral interests law in Minnesota, developed in response to landowner questions.

Minnesota's Mining Laws This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (21KB, 1998): Minnesota's mining laws are found in Minnesota's Constitution, statutes, and administrative rules. This factsheet is a guide to the major laws that directly address mineral issues.

Map of State Owned Lands In Minnesota by Land Type. Color, 7.5" x 10" printed. This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (1.5MB, January 2001).

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has the latest edition of the Minnesota Mining Tax Guide This link leads to an external site. online in PDF format. The Guide contains a wide variety of information on many aspects of mining production and taxes.

Revenue Received from State Mineral Leases FY 1890-2011 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. A report providing detailed data on the revenue collected by state mineral leasing programs from fiscal year 1890 to 2011. (180kb, 33 pages)

Recreational geology in Minnesota

Recreational Geology in Minnesota This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. (143KB) - information on recreational gold panning, rockhounding, speleological activities, and more.

Surficial Geology of Select State Parks in Minnesota - reports and maps related to the surficial geology of the following Minnesota State Parks; St. Croix, Kathio, Minneopa, Nerstrand Big Woods, McCarthy Beach, and Interstate.

Research publications

The Division conducts research and publishes reports on many aspects of minerals and mining in Minnesota.

The documents cited in the indices are currently available through the Division's Hibbing office.