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Iron and Taconite Mining in MN. Supplying the Nation For Over 100 Years. Iron Ore = Steel. Iron ore is main ingredient in production of steel 98% of iron ore is used to manufacture steel MN produces about 80% of the nation’s iron ore
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Iron and Taconite Mining in MN Supplying the Nation For Over 100 Years
Iron Ore = Steel • Iron ore is main ingredient in production of steel • 98% of iron ore is used to manufacture steel • MN produces about 80% of the nation’s iron ore • Minnesota has led the nation in its production since the 1880s
Vermillion Iron Range • Iron ore discovered by accident near Lake Vermillion in the 1860s • Prospectors originally attracted to the area by a “gold rush” but little gold was found • First shipment of iron ore occurred in 1884
Tower Sudan Mine • At first ore was near the surface and easily mined • Over time, deposits were found deeper and required expensive underground mines
Life as an Iron Miner • Mining was hard work • Early miners used pickaxes and shovels • Horses and mules hauled ore out of the mine • Work was dangerous • Living conditions often unhealthy • Bankruptcies were common First mining camp near Mountain Iron in 1893
Mountain Iron Mine • Iron ore was discovered at Mountain Iron on Mesabi Range a few years later • First shipment occurred in 1892 • Most early mining done in underground mines but quickly switched to open pit because it was cheaper • Steam shovels were able to do the work of many men Mountain Iron Mine Now Closed – Ore Exhausted
Hull Rust Mine • World’s largest open pit mine • Known as “Grand Canyon of the North” • Over 3 miles long, a mile wide and 535 feet deep • Material removed is equal to digging a small tunnel from MN through the core of the earth and out the other side • At its peak in 1940 this mine produced approximately 25% of US iron ore
Hibbing: The Town That Moved • Established in 1893 by German miner Frank Hibbing who had discovered iron ore nearby • In the 1920's the town moved two miles south to its present location after iron ore was discovered under the city's old location • Buildings were moved using steel wheels and logs • Move started in 1919 and took many years to complete • More than 180 houses and 20 businesses were relocated to their current sites
Hill Annex Mine • Iron mining began in 1913 and continued until 1978 • Was 6th largest mine in MN
MN’s Iron-Bearing Formations Vermillion Range Mesabi Range Cuyuna Range
Mesabi Range • 97% of MN’s iron ore has come from the Mesabi Range • Only small amounts have come from the Vermillion and Cuyuna Ranges • Only active mines on the Mesabi
Iron Ore Depletion • By the 1970s most of MN’s high-grade iron ore was exhausted • Production began to concentrate on a low-grade ore known as “taconite” • Taconite consists of approximately 25-30% iron with the rest waste material • Without processing, taconite cannot be used to produce steel
Taconite • Taconite is extremely hard rock • Process begins with blasting • Raw material then transported to processing plant
Taconite Processing • Taconite rock is first crushed • Iron ore is separated by strong electronic magnets • Formed into pellets • Baked at high temperatures Taconite Crusher Taconite Separator
Taconite Pellets • Finished taconite pellets transported to Duluth for shipment east
MN Taconite Plants Butler Taconite Hibbing Taconite MinnTac
