Rounds praised the work Rep. Bill Janklow, R-S.D., did while governor to keep alive prospects for bringing the lab to Lead. Janklow has tried repeatedly to resuscitate the project after federal legislative efforts to indemnify the mine's owners, Barrick Gold Corp., from liability for environmental damage died following a House revision.

"We remain prepared to discuss any alternatives to see if the lab proposal can be a viable one," said Vince Borg, vice president of Barrick Gold Corp., Tuesday morning.

On New Year's Eve and while still governor, Janklow announced that he had issued an executive order appointing a seven-member council, chaired by Dr. Richard Gowen of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The council is charged with carrying forward the negotiations leading to the state providing Barrick the indemnification the company requires before considering conveying the land to the state for use as an underground science facility to study sub-atomic particles called neutrinos.

While those waiting for news about the lab grab each news tidbit offered up as progress, Borg seemed to sound a note of caution saying, "Not much has changed fundamentally in the negotiations over the past several months. The lab is still a proposal without the full endorsement and backing of the National Science Foundation."

Rounds said he will be closely involved with the Lab Council appointed by Janklow and intimately involved with the negotiation process.

Rounds also said that he has taken more time coming up to speed on this issue than any other as he prepared to assume the governorship.

Jamie Rounds will serve in the new administration in the economic development area, and the governor said he will be transitioning into his new role over the next few weeks.

Jamie Rounds was not available for comment at press time.