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. 2
          to the registration statement on Form S-8 filed by MDU Resources
          Group, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission
          (Registration No. 333-06103) of our report dated January 22, 1998
          incorporated by reference in the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and our
          report dated March 18, 1998 incorporated by reference in the
          Annual Report on Form 11-K of the MDU Resources Group, Inc. Tax
          Deferred Compensation Savings Plan for Collective Bargaining Unit
          Employees for the year ended December 31, 1997 and to all
          references to our Firm included in this Post-Effective Amendment
          No. 2 to such registration statement.


                                       /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                       
                                       ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


          February 18, 1999
          Minneapolis, Minnesota