Mining operations Mesabi Range

open-pit iron mining 5-ton steam shovels, hibbing, minnesota c. 1906



duluth ore docks circa 1900–1915



hull–rust–mahoning open pit iron mine circa 1946

iron-bearing rocks noted minnesota state geologist henry h. eames in 1866. iron ore discovered north of mountain iron, minnesota on 16 nov. 1890 j.a. nichols of merritt brothers. range defined 1900. underground mines employed these gave way open pits 1902, half operations conducted way. last underground mine closed in 1960. natural ores gave way iron-ore concentrates magnetite taconite 1965 1 third of production came these pellets.

iron ore mined open pits, although mines operated underground on. soudan underground mine oldest mine in minnesota. in late 19th century prospectors searching gold in northern minnesota discovered extremely rich veins of hematite @ site, containing more 65% iron. open pit mine began operation in 1882, , moved underground mining 1900. mine worked until end of active mining in 1962, , donated state of minnesota use educational purposes.

much of softer ore formed close surface, allowing mining operations conducted via open pit mines. world s largest open pit iron ore mine hull-rust-mahoning open pit iron mine in hibbing. in years of mining late 19th century until 1950s, mining focus on high grade ore processed steel without change. however, when supply dried up, focus shifted lower-grade ore (taconite) requires extensive processing @ large mining-processing facilities before moving port. mined ore transported, duluth, missabe , iron range railway, ports of 2 harbors , duluth. @ duluth, trains of eighty 100-ton open cars moved out on massive ore docks dumped lakers of 60,000 tons weight movement steel mills in indiana , ohio.

open pit mines no longer worked common feature along iron range. of these sites have been redeveloped other uses. instance, virginia pilot project focuses on redeveloping grounds adjacent old mines low- moderate-income residential space. hill-annex mine state park , offers tours visitors wish learn mine operations. tours guided former mine workers.

currently, there 6 mining-processing facilities in operation on iron range. cliffs natural resources owns , operates northshore mining, has mining operations in babbitt , crushing, concentrating (grinding) , pelletizing operations in silver bay, along united taconite has mining operations in eveleth , crushing, concentrating , pelletizing operations in forbes. arcelor mittal owns , operates minorca mine , plant mining operations near biwabik , gilbert , crushing, concentrating , pelletizing facility near virginia (47°32′34″n 92°31′01″w / 47.5428°n 92.5169°w / 47.5428; -92.5169). united states steel owns , operates both keetac (47°23′57″n 93°04′33″w / 47.3992°n 93.0759°w / 47.3992; -93.0759) , minntac (47°29′50″n 92°36′50″w / 47.49730°n 92.61401°w / 47.49730; -92.61401) mining , processing facilities in keewatin , mountain iron respectively. last facility hibbing taconite operates mine , plant between cities of hibbing , chisholm. although arcelor mittal owns majority stake in hibbing taconite, operating agent minority owner, cliffs natural resources. united states steel minority stakeholder in hibbing taconite.

in addition, essar steel building mine/plant near nashwauk has plans not mine , process taconite, produce steel on-site ready shipment around world. steel dynamics , kobe steel own mesabi nugget (47°31′41″n 92°07′18″w / 47.5280°n 92.1216°w / 47.5280; -92.1216) near hoyt lakes not yet mine own material, produce high-iron content nuggets. magnetation, inc. company working iron range, focus reclaiming leftover iron ore dumps company-designed high-power magnetic separators produce concentrate sell , ship throughout world.