UMD Talks Ties to Mining

Posted at: 09/27/2012 10:50 PM
By: Dayna Landgrebe

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Mining is an industry that's integrated into our region's economy, but it's got a strong connection to UMD, as well.

On Thursday evening, the university talked about the history of mining, and UMD's role in research on it. UMD controls thousands of acres of mineral rights, and has created places like the Natural Resources Research Institute Center for Applied Research Technology Development (NRRI) to further research on the minerals and resources around in Northeastern Minnesota.

"We do a lot of work to try and basically reinforce the strengths of our industry in Northeast Minnesota, as well as look at the things like the environmental issues associated with mining activities and coming up with solutions to deal with those things," said Don Fosnacht, Director of UMD-NRRI .

Minnesota was granted federal land to help set up colleges like UMD in 1856 as part of the Morrill Act. That legislation resulted in those mineral rights connected to UMD.

Also during Thursday's commemorations, Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia) was honored, for his legislative work that benefits education through mining.

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