1. Iron and Taconite Mining in MN
Supplying the Nation For Over 100 Years

2. 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

3. 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

4. Tower Sudan Mine At first ore was near the surface and easily mined
Over time, deposits were found deeper and required expensive underground mines

5. 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

6. Now Closed – Ore Exhausted
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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Hill Annex Mine Iron mining began in 1913 and continued until 1978
Was 6th largest mine in MN

10. MN’s Iron-Bearing Formations
Vermillion Range
Mesabi Range
Cuyuna Range

11. 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

12. US Iron Production

13. 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

14. Taconite Taconite is extremely hard rock Process begins with blasting
Raw material then transported to processing plant

15. 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

16. Taconite Pellets
Finished taconite pellets transported to Duluth for shipment east

17. MN Taconite Plants
Butler Taconite
Hibbing Taconite
MinnTac

18. Major Arrowhead Urban Centers

19. Steel Production Centers