Lands and Minerals releases information to the public regarding many subjects including but not limited to:
state land sales
nonferrous metallic minerals lease sales
exploration plans for nonferrous metallic minerals leases
helium/hydrogen gas production rulemaking
construction aggregate maps
data releases
This webpage provides a home for Lands and Minerals related news releases. If you would like to be notified of these news releases please sign up below with your email address. This does not cover PolyMet related news releases. If you would like to be notified of PolyMet related news releases please visit the PolyMet website.
May 2026
May 29, 2026 - Aggregate mapping helps Minnesota communities build for the future
Demand for maps grows as communities incorporate aggregate access into their planning
Minnesota communities make significant investments in infrastructure projects related to roads, bridges, stormwater systems, housing, and disaster recovery. These types of projects rely on access to locally available sand, gravel, crushed stone, collectively known as aggregate resources.
In support of these efforts, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Aggregate Resource Mapping Program helps communities proactively identify these critical resources and plan for future needs.
As of May 2026, the program has completed aggregate resource maps for 31 Minnesota counties and is in the process of mapping four more counties. Another 25 counties have also requested maps be created for them. Completing all outstanding requests would put the DNR two-thirds of the way toward its goal of completing aggregate resource maps for all 87 counties in Minnesota.
“Communities need planning tools that help them prepare for both long-term growth and unexpected challenges,” DNR Mineral Potential Section Manager Heather Arends said. “Knowing where to get local aggregate resources can help a community reduce transportation costs when they need infrastructure repair or rebuilding.”
DNR geologists use county-scale mapping techniques to identify sand, gravel and crushed stone resources and share information about its quality. The program produces aggregate resource maps, GIS datasets, field observations, and inventories of active and historic gravel mines and crushed stone quarries. The information helps counties, governments, planners, engineers, and the public make informed land-use and infrastructure decisions while ensuring future access to these nonrenewable resources before they are lost to incompatible land use and development.
“From a planning and zoning perspective, the map and data get used weekly, if not daily, within the Environmental Services Office,” Le Sueur County Deputy Administrator Aaron Stubbs said. “If someone proposes a use in the aggregate map area, we want to be aware, so we don't allow finite resources to inadvertently be covered up by long-term development.”
Arends noted that the maps also support recovery after natural disasters and severe weather events.
“Following severe storms or floods, communities often need rapid access to aggregate materials for rebuilding roads, culverts, bridges and streambanks,” she said. “The aggregate maps help allow decisionmakers to act quickly in their responses.”
The Minnesota Legislature established DNR’s Aggregate Resource Mapping Program in 1984. The Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, provides funding for aggregate resource mapping. Learn more and view completed county aggregate maps at the Minnesota DNR’s Aggregate Resources Mapping Program webpage.
May 18, 2026 - Public input sought on draft rules for regulating gas resource development
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has published a notice of intent to adopt rules that would regulate gas resource development projects and is inviting the public to comment on these draft rules through July 2, 2026.
In 2024, Minnesota prohibited gas production in the state without a permit from the DNR. At the same time, DNR and other state agencies were authorized to establish rules to regulate gas resource production in the state. The draft rules on which DNR is currently seeking comment would establish its part of this regulatory framework.
Public input opportunities
The DNR invites anyone interested in the regulation of gas resource development in Minnesota to review the draft rules and provide comments. The 45-day public comment period starts on May 18, 2026, and will end at 4:30 p.m. on July 2, 2026.
Anyone may submit written comments on the proposed rules to [email protected]. Please visit the DNR website for more in-depth information and additional documentation on the draft rules.
After the closing of the comment period, the DNR will review and consider all comments prior to making a decision on whether to adopt the rules, with or without amendments.
About the gas resources development and the rulemaking process
In February 2024, an exploration company confirmed the discovery of helium gas on private land in Lake County and reported that the drilling results indicated the potential for commercial production. At the same time, interest has grown in natural hydrogen resources along a geologic formation known as the Midcontinent Rift System. In Minnesota, the rift system extends from Lake Superior to the Iowa border. There has been no prior development of gas resources in Minnesota and the state lacks a regulatory framework for commercial gas production.
In 2024, DNR was directed to use the expedited rulemaking process to adopt or amend rules to address several gas production regulatory topics, including permitting, reclamation, financial assurance, siting and setbacks, and pooling and spacing. The DNR was given a May 22, 2026, deadline to publish a notice of intent to adopt those rules in the State Register. For more information about this rulemaking process, visit the DNR website.
April 2026
April 29, 2026 - Plan submitted to explore on state nonferrous metallic minerals leases
Green Bridge Metals USA (GRBM) submitted an exploration plan to explore for metallic minerals in St. Louis County in an area approximately three and a half (3.5) miles southeast of Babbitt, Minnesota. Exploration plans are not a proposal to mine. The plan proposes drilling exploratory borings and conducting down-hole geophysical surveys. These parcels have been explored intermittently since 1957.
Encampment Minerals Inc. (Encampment) holds the state lease and designated GRBM as the operator for the proposed exploration activity. The DNR has approved the operating agreement between Encampment and GRBM.
If the proposal meets the requirements of applicable state laws, GRBM will have the right to explore the specified state lands under a nonferrous metallic mineral lease consistent with the exploration plan, any state-imposed conditions, and applicable laws and rules.
The proposed exploration covers state-administered school trust parcels located in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. This proposed plan is unrelated to the recent federal actions pertaining to federal mineral leases within this watershed.
Find a summary report and associated map of the proposed exploration related activities at the DNR's exploration plan webpage.
January 2026
Jan. 20, 2026 - Plan submitted to explore on state nonferrous metallic minerals leases
Talon Nickel (USA) LLC (Talon) proposes to continue exploration for metallic minerals in Aitkin and Carlton counties in an area five and a half (5.5) miles north to seven (7) miles southeast of Tamarack, Minnesota. The plan proposes drilling exploratory borings and conducting down-hole and ground geophysical surveys. Talon and Kennecott Exploration Company (Kennecott) have explored this area intermittently since 2008.
The proposed plan is nearly identical to the exploration plans Talon submitted to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in March 2023, March 2024, and March 2025, all of which received DNR authorization.
Kennecott holds the state leases and designated Talon as the operator for the proposed exploration activity. The DNR has approved the operating agreement between Kennecott and Talon.
If the proposal meets the requirements of applicable state laws and is authorized by the DNR, Talon will have the right to explore the specified state lands under a nonferrous metallic mineral lease consistent with the exploration plan, any conditions, and applicable laws and rules.
Find a summary report and associated map of the proposed exploration related activities at the DNR's exploration plan webpage.
December 2025
Dec. 22, 2025 - DNR 2025 land auction was a great success
2025 public land sale results
DNR land auctions are essential to manage the state’s public lands
Land sales are a vital part of the DNR’s efforts to strategically and regularly improve Minnesota’s public land offerings so that the land meets our conservation and recreation needs. It’s similar to how a farmer might sell land that isn’t suitable for crops to a neighbor, allowing for better use. At the DNR, we periodically sell surplus lands to invest in higher-quality lands for the benefit of all Minnesotans.
2025 land auction season at a glance
In Carlton County, a small, isolated 2.57-acre property near Wrenshall, MN, was sold at auction for $75,250. The proceeds from this sale may be reinvested to help the DNR acquire higher-quality state lands for recreational, environmental, or economic benefits.
In Clearwater and Wadena counties, bids on three landlocked properties resulted in the sale of 120 acres out of 188 acres of school trust lands, generating about $130,000 for the state’s Permanent School Fund, which supports 850,000 K-12 students in Minnesota.
The 67-acre school trust land parcel in St. Louis County did not sell and may be available for purchase at a future public auction.
December auction results
| Sale # | County | Parcel name | Acres | Minimum bid | Final bid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09274 | Carlton | Silver Brook Twp. Hwy 23 | 2.57 | $5,000 | $75,250 |
| 15052 | Clearwater | Popple Twp. S15 | 40 | $30,000 | $54,000 |
| 15053 | Clearwater | Popple Twp. S11 | 40 | $30,000 | $50,350 |
| 69060 | St. Louis | Fredenberg Twp #2 | 67.90 | $210,000 | No bids |
| 80247 | Wadena | Orton Twp. S12-2 | 40 | $23,000 | $41,000 |
DNR land auctions in the news
The 2025 land auction was featured on KSTP Channel 5. Watch the news story to hear more about how this land sale helped the DNR improve public land and contribute to Minnesota’s high quality of life—and public education.
DNR auctioning 188 acres to boost Minnesota schools - KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News
Future land auctions
Information about 2026 public land auctions will be posted on the DNR land sale webpage. Questions? Please call 651-259-5432, 888-646-6367 or email DNR Land Sales
November 2025
Nov. 18, 2025 - Online auction announced for the Minnesota DNR's December land sale
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has state lands for sale in Carlton, Clearwater, St. Louis, and Wadena counties. Several rural properties for sale provide numerous recreational opportunities.
To ensure that Minnesota has the best public land offerings, the DNR sells land that no longer meets the state’s conservation, recreation, or economic needs. This December’s sale will also help the DNR meet its fiduciary responsibility to K-12 public education. This December, 188 of the 190 acres for sale are school trust lands. One of the trust parcels for sale in Fredenberg Township offers 67 acres of recreational space near Island Lake Reservoir, located northwest of Duluth.
School trust lands were granted to the state by the federal government to generate a continual source of income for public education. The DNR is selling four parcels of school trust land that no longer meet the state’s management needs and have limited opportunities to generate income. Revenue from the trust land sales will go into the Permanent School Fund, which supports 850,000 students in K-12 public education by distributing revenue to every public and charter school in the state.
Visit the DNR land sale webpage for more information about the December online public land auction, preview lands for sale, and learn how to register for an account to bid on properties.
The auction
Properties will be available for bidding Tuesday, Dec. 2 through Tuesday, Dec. 16.
The December online public land auction partners with the Minnesota Department of Administration at MNBid , Minnesota’s Surplus Services online auction website.
Register to bid
Anyone interested in bidding on a property needs to register for an account on MNBid prior to participating in the auction. Visit the DNR land sale webpage to obtain property data sheets, terms and conditions of sale, and instructions for participating in the MNBid system.
Contact us
Call 651-259-5432, 888-646-6367 or email with questions about a specific property.
Nov. 14, 2025 - Plan submitted to explore on state nonferrous metallic minerals leases
Franconia Minerals (US) LLC (Franconia), a subsidiary of Twin Metals Minnesota LLC (Twin Metals), proposes to continue exploration for metallic minerals in St. Louis County in an area approximately five (5) miles east of Babbitt, MN. The plan proposes drilling exploratory borings and conducting down-hole geophysical surveys. This area has been explored intermittently since 2005.
If the proposal meets the requirements of applicable state laws and is approved by the DNR, Franconia will have the right to explore the specified state lands under a nonferrous metallic mineral lease consistent with the exploration plan, any conditions, and applicable laws and rules.
Find a summary report and associated map of the proposed exploration related activities at the DNR's exploration plan webpage.
July 2025
July 22, 2025 - Aggregate Resource Potential Map for Yellow Medicine County published by DNR’s Aggregate Resource Mapping Program
Geologists in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Aggregate Resource Mapping Program (ARMP) have completed a new natural resource map showing the potential for sand and gravel deposits and crushed stone resources in Yellow Medicine County.
These maps are a vital tool for identifying materials needed to build the roads, bridges, and buildings that support our communities.
The full dataset for Yellow Medicine County, including digital maps of aggregate resources and a countywide gravel pit survey, is now publicly available on the Aggregate Resources Mapping Program webpage.
The public, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and industry can download the digital map plates (PDF format) and related geospatial data. Paper copy maps are available upon request.
The sand and gravel maps are the most recent products from the ARMP, providing field-researched information to locate sand, gravel, and crushed stone resources and characterize the quality of a deposit. DNR geologists in the ARMP are working towards creating detailed aggregate maps for every county statewide.
The Minnesota Legislature established the ARMP in 1984. Today, 30 Minnesota counties have access to completed aggregate resource maps. A three-year grant from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, provided funding for mapping aggregate resources in Yellow Medicine County.
For more information, visit the Aggregate Mapping Methodology webpage. Contact DNR geologist Heather Arends to request maps and to inquire about aggregate resource maps for your county.