A Delay on Mineral Mining Rights

(AP)  The MN Executive Council has delayed a decision on mineral exploration in northern Minnesota for six months. 

The council wants to give land owners time to convince lawmakers to change the laws that would be more favorable to property owners.

Selling mineral leases to mining companies has been a state practice for decades, but takes on a new dimension with billions of dollars worth of copper, nickel and other minerals to be found under forests, lakes, streams and swamps of northern Minnesota.