Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of eight members to the Governor's Committee on Minnesota's Mining Future. The Commission, which Governor Pawlenty created by Executive Order 03-12, will advise the Governor on ways to strengthen and develop a sustainable mining and minerals industry in Minnesota.

Governor Pawlenty appointed Stan Daniels, Margaret Hodnik, Ernest Lehmann, Dr. Kathryn Martin, Mary Mathews, James McConnell, James Swearingen, and John "Jack" Tuomi. Iron Range Resources Commissioner Sandra Layman and Swearingen will co-chair the Committee.

Daniels, of Hibbing, is the legislative coordinator for the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) District 11 in Minneapolis and is a former president of the USWA union local at EVTAC.

Hodnik, of Duluth, is the manager of policy and communications for Minnesota Power in Duluth.

Lehmann, of Minneapolis, is president of the Minnesota Exploration Association, a mineral industry trade group. He is actively involved in mineral exploration in northeastern Minnesota and has over 50 years of experience as an exploration geologist.

Martin, of Duluth, is the chancellor of the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). UMD houses the Natural Resources and Research Institute, which conducts applied research related to forest products, minerals, water and the environment.

Mathews, of Hibbing, is president of the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, a microenterprise and small business development organization serving northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

McConnell, of Mountain Iron, is general manager of United States Steel Corporation's Minnesota Ore Operations, which now includes both the Minntac plant in Mountain Iron, and the recently acquired Keewatin taconite plant.

Swearingen, of Aurora, retired in April 2003 as general manager of United States Steel's Minntac plant and now serves as a consultant to a number of mining and minerals-related businesses.

Tuomi, of Virginia, is general manager of Hibbing Taconite Company and United Taconite as well as vice president of Cliffs Mining Company. He previously was general manager of LTV Steel Mining Company in Hoyt Lakes until the plant closed in 2000.

"Governor Pawlenty recognizes that Minnesota has an opportunity to create its own mining future," Commissioner Layman said. "Establishing a committee that will focus on Minnesota's mining future will help ensure that we take full advantage of the new opportunities in technology and the development of Minnesota's metal resources."

The Governor's Committee on Minnesota's Mining Future consists of 15 members, including the Commissioners of Iron Range Resources; the Departments of Natural Resources, Employment and Economic Development, and the Pollution Control Agency; individuals representing each of Minnesota's United States Senators and the United States Representative for Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District; and eight public members, appointed by the Governor, who have experience in the mining industry, unions representing mining workers, and/or other relevant business, leadership and economic development experience. The Committee will provide the Governor with its initial recommendations by June 1, 2004.