Exhibit 23(a)


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
by  reference  in  this  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  1 to  the  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 filed by MDU Resources Group, Inc. with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (Registration No. 333-27877) of our report dated January 24,
2000  incorporated by reference into the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.


                                      /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 23, 2000