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Dayton to name new Minnesota mining commissioner

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Sep 20, 2011 at 8:05 am

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton plans to fill a new position of Minnesota mining commissioner.

Mining industry officials asked Dayton last week to appoint the new position.

The commissioner would serve as a first point of contact for questions on state mining regulations.

Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board Commissioner Tony Sertich tells the Duluth News Tribune that the Dayton administration hopes to fill the position "as quickliy as possible.''

Sertich says the new mining coordinator won't be able to bypass or change any state regulation but will help companies "navigate through the process.''

Sertich says former IRRRB Deputy Commissioner Brian Hiti will fill the role temporarily.