* Says government is united in wanting asset back
* Singer Bjork leads high-profile campaign vs sale
REYKJAVIK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Iceland's environment
minister said on Tuesday the government wants to have talks
with Magma Energy Corp
Environment Minister Svandis Svavarsdottir told state radio there was full unity in the government on the issue, which has been contentious as Iceland emerges from its financial crisis.
"The next step is to initiate negotiations with Magma Energy to realize this," said Svavarsdottir, a member of the Left-Green party, which is part of a coalition government.
A parliamentary oversight committee approved the deal last year to sell HS Orka to Canadian-based Magma. But the sale faced public opposition, including a high-profile campaign led by Icelandic singer Bjork.
Bjork, who is known for her political activism, has said Icelanders should be allowed to decide through a referendum whether access to the country's natural resources should be privatized. She presented a petition on Monday to Iceland's prime minister, protesting against the sale of HS Orka.
Magma has said the government found its HS Orka acquisition to be legally binding in three separate reviews and it was "business as usual" at the facility. (Reporting by Omar Valdimarsson, writing by Nicole Mordant; Editing by Janet Guttsman)