M i n n e s o t a ’ s i r o n M i n i n g i n d u s t r y

1845������������ IronorediscoveredinMichiganbyMarje-Gesick,anOjibwaychief�SaultSte�MariecanalopensLakeSuperiortoshipsfromlowerlakes�

1855������������ Bessemerprocessrevolutionizessteelmaking,makinginexpensivesteelavailabletowaitingmarkets�

1884������������ FirstshipmentofironorefromMinnesota’sVermilionRange�

1890������������ IronorediscoveredatMountainIron,Minnesota,openingMesabiRange�

1892������������ FirstshipmentfromMountainIronmine�

1898������������ U�S�becomesworld’sleadingironoreproducerwithnearly20milliontonsmined�

1904������������ IronoredepositsverifiedonCuyunaRangebyCuylerAdams�

1905������������ AtikokanMineinnorthwesternOntariobeginsproduction;firstCanadianmineinLakeSuperiordistrict�

1910������������ FirstinstallationtoimproveironorebywashingbuiltatColeraine,Minnesota�

1922������������ Plantbuilttoconcentratelow-grademagnetictaconiteoncommercialscaleatBabbitt,Minnesota,proveseconomicallyunsuccessful�

1930 – 39���� Developmentofcontinuoushot-stripmillmakessheetsteelcommonlyavailable,opensnewmarketsforsteelandcreatesnewdemandforironore�

1941������������ Minnesotaadoptstaconitetaxlawtoencouragedevelopmentforlow-gradedeposits�DepletionofnaturaloredepositsinLakeSuperiordistrictpressesindustrytoseekfeasibletechniquesforusingleantaconiteoresandstimulatesexplorationfornewdeposits�

1941 – 45���� LakeSuperiordistrictshipsmorethan411milliontons,nearlydouble1936–40production,showingimpactofwaronorereserves�

1948������������ PilotplantstopelletizetaconiteconcentratesbuiltatAshland,Kentucky,andAurora,Minnesota�High-gradehematitedepositsreportedinLabradorTrough,aNorthAmericandepositrivalingtheMesabi�

1949������������ ResearchonconcentrationofMichigan’slow-gradeJaspiliteoresatIshpemingresultsinacceptableflotationprocess�

1951������������ Michiganadopts“specifictax”toencouragedevelopmentoflow-gradedeposits�

1952 – 54���� DepletionofdomesticreservesduringWorldWarIIheightensworld-wideexploration�LiberianoreandLabradororeshippedtoU�S�blastfurnaces�U�S�economicself-sufficiencyinironoreends�

1954 – 56���� Twocommercial-scaletaconiteminingandprocessingoperationsbuiltandbeganproducingpelletsinMinnesota�

1961������������ One-hundred-thousand-tonocean-goingorecarrierlaunched�Deepwateroceanportbecomesnewcompetitivefactorinsteelmaking�

1964������������ “Taconiteamendment”toMinnesotaconstitutionpledgesfairtaxationoftaconiteindustry,spursadditionalinvestment�

1969������������ One-thousand-foot-longPoeLockopensatSaultSte�Marie�Fifty-thousand-ton-capacityGreatLakescarriersbeginhaulingLakeSuperiorores�

1974������������ Minnesotataconiteindustrybeginsexpansiontoanannualpelletproductioncapabilityof65milliontons�

1980������������ DecliningdomesticsteelproductionandworldwideoverdevelopmentofsteelmakingfacilitiesandironoreresourcesshockNorthAmericanminingindustry,beginningaperiodofuncertaintyforMinnesota taconite�

1983������������ NaturalResourcesResearchInstitute(NRRI)UniversityofMinnesotawasestablishedinresponsetoeconomicdownturninthelate1970sandearly1980s�NRRIhasworkedwiththeindustrytoreducecostsbyimprovingtheefficiencyofoperationsaswellastoimprovethequalityofpelletsforbetterperformanceintheblastfurnace�

1985������������ ButlerTaconite,Nashwauk,closespermanentlyafterproducing40�5milliontonsoverthecourseof18years�

1986������������ ReserveMiningCompany’sownersfilebankruptcy,plantcloses�

1987������������ Fluxpellets,containinglimestone,introduced–increaseblastfurnaceproductivity�

1990������������ CyprusMineralsreopensscaled-downReservemineandplant�

1994������������ Cyprus/NorthshoreissoldtoClevelandCliffs,Inc�(nowCliffsNaturalResources)�

2001������������ LTVSteelMininginHoytLakescloses�

2002������������ NaturalResourcesResearchInstitute(NRRI)initiatesmajorstudyonconvertingironoretoironnodules�

2003������������ EVTACMiningCo�reopensasUnitedTaconite,ownedbyCliffsandChinesesteelproducerLaiwuSteel,afterbeingclosedforaperiodoftime�

2003������������ U�S�SteelassumesownershipofNationalSteelPelletCo�,renamingthetaconiteoperationKeewatinTaconite�

2005������������ U�S�DOEgranttoNRRItocontinueironnoduledevelopmentwithitsinnovativelinearhearthfurnaceconcepttoevaluatetheironsmeltingconceptatadvancedlevel�

2006������������ MittalSteelUSA,asubsidiaryofMittalSteel,asteelcompanybasedinLondon,assumesownershipoftheMinorcaMinenearVirginia,Minnesota�MittalandEuropeansteelmakerArcelorlatermergedandbecameArcelorMittal�

2007 – 09���� Advancedoxy-coalandoxy-fuelcombustiontechnologiestestedatColeraineMineralsResearchlaboratoryforuseinironsmeltingprocess�

2008������������ ClevelandCliffsisrenamedCliffsNaturalResources�

2008������������ Firstthreequartersof2008seealltimevalueandproductionofsteelandironore–butonemonthlaterproductiondropsduetotheeconomy�

2008������������ EssarSteelMinnesotabreaksgroundforanewdirectreducedironplantnearNashwauk�

2009������������ Forthefirsttime,thoughshortlived,nominesareoperatingonMinnesota’sIronRangeformorethantwoweeks�

2009������������ Magnetation1scramminingoperationbeginsminingold“redore”tailingssitesnearKeewatin�

2010������������ MesabiNuggetcommerciallyproducesworld’sfirsthigh-gradeironnuggetsusingITmk3®process�

2012������������ Magnetation2and3beginproductionnearTaconiteandChisholm�

2013������������ EssarSteelplantnearNashwaukbeginspelletproduction�

Milestones Affecting the Iron Mining Industry in the Great Lakes Region

PAGE1

The story of iron began…Overoneandone-halfbillionyearsagoavast,shallowseacoveredmuchoftheareaweknowtodayasnortheasternMinnesota�ThegreatMes-abiRangebeganinthissea,whichcontainedconcentrationsofironandsilica�Theironandsilicasettledtothebottomoftheseaandformedthicklayersofiron-bearingsediments�Astimewenton,theseadisappeared,leavingthesesedi-mentsburiedunderthousandsoffeetofsand,clayandmud�Asaresultofthisdeepburial,theiron-bearingsedimentsweresubjectedtoheatandpressurewhichtransformedthemintoahard,flintyrockwecalltaconite�Taconiteconsistsprimarilyofchert,aformofsilica,andofmagnetite,ablack,magneticironmineral�

TheMesabiRange,thelargestofthreeironrangesinMinnesota,consistsofathicklayeroftaconiteextendingfromBabbittontheeast,110milessouthwesttoGrandRapids�Thetaconitedepositisonetothreemileswideandupto500feetthick�

Duringthelongperiodsinceitsformation,Mesabitaconitehasbeensubjectedtoavarietyofgeologicprocessesthathavealtereditscharacter�Certainareasoftaconitewereaffectedbysolutionsthatdissolvedoutportionsofthesilica,andtheblackmagnetitewasconvertedtoredhematite,orwhatwecall“natural”ore�Naturaloremines,scatteredthroughouttaconiteoftheMesabiRangelikeraisinsinacake,playedanimportantpartinMinnesota’shistory�Insomeareas,particularlyonthewesternendoftheMesabiRange,magnetictaconitehasbeenchangedtoredhematite,leavingthesilicaessentiallyunchanged,formingnon-magnetictaconiteandwhatwecall“semi-taconite�”However,thegreatbulkoftheMesabiRangeironformationremainsashard,magnetictaco-nite–enoughtolasthundredsofyearsusingconventionalminingmethods�

Ironisoneofthemostabundantmetalsfoundonearth�Closetofivepercentoftheearth’scrustisiron�However,iron,unlikecopperorsil-ver,isfoundincombinationwithotherelementssuchasoxygen,siliconorsulphur�Theseironmineralsarefoundmixedwithclay,sand,rockorgravel�Soironisaverycommonmineral,commonenoughtobefoundinyourbackyard�Butonlywhentheironisconcentratedinlarge

enoughquantitiesandsufficientqualitycanitbeminedforcommercialuse�Useofironoredatesbackmorethan5,000years,andasneedsforironhavegrown,ironoredepositshavebeenfoundallovertheworld�

Perhapsthefirstuseofironorewasforthebrightredandyellowcolorsthatcharacterizemanyironores�Eventoday,ironoresareusedinaminorwayforpaintsanddyes�Butthemajoruseofiron,sincetheSyriansuseditforweaponsin3700B�C�,hasbeenasametal–fortoolsandimplements,forweaponsandstructures,andinmoderntimes,forallthesteelgoodsmadefromiron�

IronhasalwaysplayedanimportantroleinthedevelopmentoftheUnitedStates�IronminesinNewEnglandprovidedironforthecannonsoftheContinentalArmyintheRevolutionaryWar�Thesesamemines,aswellasminesinKentuckyandOhio,metneedsoftheAmericansettlersastheypushedwestward�AsthenationdevelopedandfounditselfengagedintheCivilWar,demandsforironoreweregreatlyincreased�Also,developmentofanefficientwayofconvertingironintosteel,throughuseofthe

BessemerandKellyprocessesinthe1850s,steppeduptheneedforironore�Newironoremineswere

foundandbroughtintoproductioninMichigan,andwiththeopeningoflocksatSaultSte�Marie,ironoredepositsoftheLakeSuperiorregion–includingthelargestofthemall,theMesabiRangeofMinnesota,wereavailabletothenation�

overburden

Minnesota’s first iron mine opened at tower-soudan in 1884. this picture was taken in 1890 before the mine was converted from open pit to underground. today it is a state park. Minnesota Historical Society Collection.

Typical cross section of the Mesabi Range

iron ore – used as a metal – can be found in almost all modern tools.

upper slaty

upper Cherty

Lower slaty

Lower Cherty

Pokegama Quartzite

SOUTH NORTH

average Characteristics of the geology FormationDipApproximately7%

UpperSlaty 110ft� UpperCherty 185ft� LowerSlaty 120ft� LowerCherty 125ft�

LOOKINGWEST

PAGE2

ironMinnesota’s Iron RangesMinnesotaironorewasfirstobservedin1850,eastofLakeVermilion,andagainin1865,whenHenryH�Eames,Minnesota’sstategeologist,reportedironoredepositsintheLakeVermilionarea�Then,followingareportofgoldinthesamearea,prospectorsandexplorersheadedfornortheasternMinnesota�Littlegoldwasfound,sotheexplorersloweredtheirsightsandsettledforironore,andinthe1870sironoresampleswerebeingpackedoutofthedeepforestsforinspectionandanalysis�

Theevidencewasconvincing,andonJuly31,1884,withashipmentofironorefromthenewMinnesotaMine(laternamedSoudan)ontheVermilionIronRange,Minnesotabecameanironoreproducingstate�InthenextdecadetheMesabiRangecameintoproductionwiththeopeningoftheMountainIronMinein1892�

Inquicksuccession,ironmineswerediscoveredandopenedintheBiwabikandHibbingareas,andnearVirginiaandEveleth�Mostearlymineswereoperatedunderground,butthelargedepositsweresoonconvertedintoopen-pitoperations,forerunnersofthebigironoreminestypicaloftheMesabiIronRange�AsminingmovedwestwardalongtheMesabi,athirdMinnesotaironrangewasbeingexploredanddeveloped�TheCuyunaRange,eastandnorthofBrainerd,shippeditsfirstironorein1911�

DiscoveryanddevelopmentofMinnesota’sthreeironrangescameatanimportanttimeforournationandfortheworld,forthe20thCenturywithitsworldwarsandgreateconomicgrowthwoulddemandtremendousquantitiesofironore�

Iron Ore to Build a Growing NationSincetheturnofthe20thCentury,thenation’sironandsteelneedshavebeenlargelymetwithironoreshippedfrommorethan400producingironoremineslocatedonMinnesota’sthreeironranges�Duringthecentury’sfirstdecade,208milliontonsofironorewereshippeddowntheGreatLakes,andinthenext10years,reflectingthedemandsofWorldWarI,totalshipmentsexceeded360milliontons�Thetempocontinuedthroughthe1920s,whenshipmentsforthe10-yearperiodapproached365milliontons,anditwasclearthatasthenationaleconomyexpanded,ironminesofMinnesotawouldbebusy�Andbusytheywere�Earthandrockoverburdenhadtoberemovedtoexposetheironore�Carefullyengineeredplanshadtobefollowedtodevelopminesinanorderly,efficientway�

Equipment–steamshovels,drills,wagons,trucksandmachinery–hadtobemovedintothemines�Railroadshadtobebuiltsothatorecouldbemovedoutofthemines�Miningisacomplicatedprocessinvolvingcareinplanning,organizationandoperations�Asthemajorsourceofironoreforafast-developingnation,Minnesota’sironrangesreflectedthegrowthofthatnation�Butgrowthissometimesreversed,andastheGreatDepressionsettleduponthenation,activityslackenedinMinnesota’smines�Only250milliontonsofironorewereshippedduringthe1930s�

Some Mining Termsagglomeration:Thetermdescribingthepreparationandheattreatmenttoprepareironorepelletsandotherironoreproductsforshipmentanduseinablastfurnace�

Beneficiation:Aseriesofprocessingstepswhichimprovethephysicalandchemicalpropertiesoftheore,usuallyusedindescribingtreatmentofnaturalore�

Concentrate:Thefinelygroundiron-bearingparticlesthatremainafterseparationfrom

impurities,atermusuallyappliedtotaconiteprocessing,althoughcorrectwhendescribingotherores�

natural ore:Orethatatonetimewasfedtoblastfurnaces,typicallycontainingabout50%ironinnaturalstate�Hematiteisacommonnaturalore�Furnacesarenolongerdesignedtohandlenaturalore�

taconite:Oneofthemanyrocksoflowironcontent,nowgenerallyappliedtosimilar

geologicalformations�Taconitereplacednaturalhigh-concentrateoreforuseinsteelblastfurnaces�

tailings:Rockparticlescontaininglittleornoiron,separatedfromiron-bearingparticlesduringvariousstagesofcrushing,grindingandconcentration�Technologyisdevelopingthatcannowremovemoreironfromthetailings,calledscrammining�

the old Vermilion trail and Winston City sign near Lake Vermilion, Minnesota.

atomic number:26symbol:Featomic Weight:55�847sources:Ironisarelativelyabundantelementintheuniverse�Thesunandmanytypesofstarscontainironinquantity�TheEarth’scoreisthoughttobecomposedmainlyofiron�IronisthefourthmostabundantelementintheEarth’scrust�Themostcommonironoreishematite(Fe2O3),fromwhichironmetalisobtainedbyreductionwithcarbon�Ironisalsofoundinmineralssuchastaconiteandmagnetite,whicharecommonlyseenasblacksandalongbeachesandstreambanks�

PAGE3

ThevitalimportanceofMinnesota’sironoreresourceswasnotlessenedbythedepressionofthe1930s�ThiswasclearasboththenationandthefreeworldreliedonMinnesotaironorethroughoutWorldWarII�Inall,morethan338milliontonsofMinnesotaironorewereshippedduringthewaryearstomakeships,tanks,gunsandothersteelarmaments�

Withtheendofthewar,theneedforironoreincreased–304milliontonswereshippedfromMinnesotaduringthefiveyearsfollowingthewar,and344milliontonswereshippedduringthenextfiveyears,1950–55�SomeofitwasusedtomeettheneedsoftheKoreanWar,butmuchofithelpedtomeetthegreatconsumerdemandthatbuiltduringWorldWarII–forautomobiles,newbuildings,roads,homeappliancesandotheritemsrequiredbyarapidlygrowingnation�

ThegraphontherightshowsdramaticchangesinMinnesotaironoreproductionbeginninginthe1955–60period�Ironminingwasenteringanewphase�Thesharpdeclineinnaturaloreshipmentsresultedprimarilyfromdepletionofourbettergradesofnaturalore�Atthesametime,steelmakers,seekinggreaterproduction,weremoreandmoredemandingaboutthe

qualityoforetheywerefeedingintotheirblastfurnaces�Also,world-wideexplorationefforts,spurredbygrowinguseofironandsteel,werebeginningtoturnupvastnewsourcesofironore�

FortunatelyforMinnesota,ironminingcompanieshaddevelopedanumberofprocessesthatcouldbeusedtoupgradeintermediateandlow-gradeores�ProcessingplantshadoperatedinMinnesotaformanyyears,builttoremovesilicaandotherimpuritiesfromore,andtoproduceoreuniforminsize�

By1958morethan80differentprocessingplantswereatworkinMinnesota�YettheseeffortsdidnotimproveMinnesota’sironoreenoughtocompetewithhigh-qualityironoreproducedinothercountries�Minnesota,oncethenation’sandworld’sdominantsupplierof

ironore,had,by1960,becomejustoneofthenumeroussources�

Buttheinfluenceofrivalore-producingareaswasonlyonesideofthestory�Inthe1955–60period,thenaturalironorecurveonthegraphwasbeginningtochange,asMinnesotabegantomeetthechallengewithanotherironoreresource–taconite�

shipments of iron ore from Minnesota, 1950 – 1990. Figures plotted are five-year averages for period ending in years shown.

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

01950 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90

Mill

ions

of t

ons

natural iron ore

taconite

total shipments

Wars Deplete Natural Ores, Mining Technology Changes

during both world wars, high-grade natural ore was taken from mines to support the war effort. as high-grade ores were depleting, new processes were developed where lower bearing iron rock, known as taconite, could be mined and iron concentrate was made into a pellet form.

PAGE4

PAGE5

PAGE6

A New Iron Ore ResourceForyears,thebasiciron-bearingrockoftheMesabiRange,taconite,resistedman’sattemptstomakeituseful�Asearlyas1871,PeterMitchell,aMichiganprospector,openedatestpitinthehardtaconitenearBabbitt�Buttherockwastoohardanddense,anditsironcontenttoolow�Besides,therewasplentyofgoodnaturaloretobemined�

In1913,ayoungengineerattheUniversityofMinnesota,E�W�Davis,beganworkingwiththetough,magnetictaconiteoftheeasternMesabi�Oneofhistheorieswasthatpowerfulmagnetsmightunlockiron-bearingparticlesfromtaconiterock�

Afteryearsofexperimenting,asmallplantwasbuiltnearBabbittin1922�Buttheplantwasaheadofitstime�Costsweretoohighandthemarketfortheproductwasdepressed�Theplantclosedin1924�ButDaviscontin-uedhiswork,andseveralminingandsteelcompaniesjoinedintaconiteresearchinanticipationofthedayMinnesota’snaturaloreresourcescouldnolongersupplythenation’sneeds�

Taconiteresearchwasfurtherstimulatedin1941withpassageofthetaconitetaxlawbytheMinnesotaLegislature�Suchpublicsupport,plusyearsofstudyandtestinginsmall-scale“pilot”plants,ledtothefirsttwolargeinvestmentsinMinnesota’staconite�Thesewerebegunintheearly1950sbyReserveandErieMiningcompanies�

Keystepsintaconiteminingandprocessingareoutlinedinthephotosbelow�Afterextensiveenvironmentalimpactstatementsandobtainingminingpermits,therockisquarriedbydrillingandblasting,crushedtothesizeofgravel,thengroundtoafinepowder�Particlescontainingironareseparatedbymagnets,rolledintopelletsthesizeofmarblesandheathardenedsotheycanbeshippedandusedintheblastfurnace�

Thefinishedpelletscontainover65%iron,theresultofacostlyandcomplexprocesswhichdiscardstwo-thirdsoftherockoriginallymined�Thediscardedrock,calledtailings,ispermanentlycontainedinlargebasins�Someofitmaybeminedagainastechnologydevelopstoremoveremainingironleftinthetailings�

Transportationisthefinallinkinironoreproductionandanimportantfactorinmakingitcompetitive�TypicallyoremovesbytraintoaLakeSuperiorport,thenbyshiptolowerGreatLakessteelmakingcenters�Throughtheyears,continualeffortshavebeenmadetoimproveefficiencyofironoretransportation�Faster,largervesselshaulcargoesupto60,000tons–threetimesthecapacityoforeboatsinthe1960s–andafarcryfromtheSchoonerColumbia,thefirstvesseltolockthroughthecanalatSaultSte�Mariein1849with120tonsofironore�

drilling LoadingBlasting

Magnetic separation

Hauling

CrushinggrindingPellet Forming

shippingMine reclamationHeat Hardening steel Making

Steps to Produce Taconite

PAGE7

The Transition to Taconite Theearly1960sbroughteconomichardshiptoironrangecommunities;naturaloreproductionwasdecliningandthepaceoftaconitegrowthwasdisappointing�Nothingcouldbedonetoreversethetrendinnaturalore�Theonlysolutionwastospurexpansionofthetaconiteindustry�

Minnesota’stotalproductionofironoreandpelletsreachedalowpointinthe1960s,thenbeganclimbingtowardformerlevels,untilthe’80s�

Taconite’sgrowthhasnotcomeeasilybecausecapitalrequirementsareextremelylarge,competitioniskeenandachangingsteelindustryhasbroughtperiodsofuncertaintytotheironoremarket�The40milliontonsannualtaconiteproductioncapacityattainedby1974costinvestors$1�2billionanddevelopmentcameslowly�

WhileMinnesotawaslaunchingataconiteindustry,otherstatesandnationsbegantodeveloptheirresourcesoftaconiteorsimilarmaterial�Infact,Minnesota,wherethetaconiteprocesswaspioneered,fellbehindinitscompetitionfortaconiteinvestment�

Minnesotametthechallengein1964whenaconstitutionalamendmentpassed,assuringtaconitecompaniesthattheywouldnotbesingledoutforstatetaxincreases�

Thepledgeoffairtaxtreatmenthelpedwinfurthertaconiteinvestment�Newprojectstotalingover$400millionwereannouncedfollowingthestatewidereferendum�Within10years,taconiteplantcapacitygrew165%,from15millionto40milliontonsperyear�

Thetaconiteindustrybegantogrowagainin1974,“thesecondtaconitedecade�”Inthatyear,constructionbeganontwonewplantsandthreeexpansionswereannounced�Thisbroughttotalcapacitytoabout65milliontonsannuallyatanadditionalinvestmentofoveronebillion�

Shortlyafterthe1970sexpansion,thedomesticsteelindustryfalteredduetodecliningmarkets,recessionandforeigncompetition�NorthAmericafounditselfwitha25%oversupplyofironore�Productionslippedto70%ofcapacityin1980andfellbelow40%inthenextfewyears�Twoplantsclosedduringthemid-1980s,onepermanently�Theotherreopenedundernewownersatareducedoutput�

Timeschange,however,andduringthe1990sproductionincreasedagainduetonewefficienciesandtechnologies�Asthe21stCenturydawned,anothermineclosedpermanently,butothersincreasedtheirproductioncapabilities�Today,productionremainsnearcapacity,spurredbygrowthintheworldsteelmarket�MuchofthatinternationalgrowthcomesfromChina�

northshore Mining taconite processing plant

PAGE8

iron Mining association Career day

iron mining has built upon experience, technology and hard work. to make it the industry it is today, those fundamentals are continuously passed to future generations to assure iron mining will be here today and tomorrow.

Formorethan50years,Minnesotasuppliedalmosttwo-thirdsoftheironorewhichhelpedtobuildthenation�Theironoreresourcesofother

statesandnationsweredevelopedandMinnesota’spercentageoftheironoremarketbegantodecline�MinesinVenezuela,Peru,

Competing with the WorldChile,BrazilandLiberiastartedproducingironoreinthe1950sandbegantodisplaceMinnesotaoreinitstraditionalmarkets�

Canadianorealsobecameafactorandlargeprocessingfacilitiessimilartoourtaconiteplantswerebuilt�SomeoftheseinstallationsineasternCanadacompetewithMinnesotaproducts�

OperationsinMichigan,too,increasedtheircapacitytoturnoutpellets�

Foreignoreproductionbecamemorecompetitivebecauseofchangesinoceantrans-portation�ShipsmorethanfivetimesasbigasthelargestontheGreatLakessharplyreducetheshippingcostperton,evenforverylongdistances�

AlltheseinfluencesonourminingindustryunderscoretheneedtokeepMinnesotaorescompetitiveincostaswellasinquality�

Ironoreresearch,ironoreprocessing,ironoreproductionandalloftheworkinvolved,haveonepurpose:toprovidethebasicrawmaterialfortheironandsteelindustry–ironore�Withoutsteelproduction,therewouldbelittleneedforironore�Steel,ofcourse,isofvitalimportancetooureconomichealthandtoourstandardofliving�Butsteel,too,mustcompetewithothermaterialsandproducts–withothermetals,withwood,concrete,glass,plasticsandwithsteelproducedinforeignnations�Itisthisconcernbycompaniesandemployeesthathasresultedinaunifiedefforttomakeoursteelcompetitivewithothermaterialsandforeignsteel�

Justassteelproducersmustprovidehigh-qualitysteelatthelowestpos-siblecost,theironoreindustrymustproduceproductsthatcancompeteonacostandqualitybasiswhilecompetinginaglobalmarket�Spurredbycompetitionandmarketdemands,theironoreindustryisfindingnewwaystodevelop,produceandmarketironore�Thismeansironorewillcontinuetoplayabasicandvitalroleinournationandtheworld�Minnesotaironorecontinuestobeoneofthestate’smostimportantproducts�Research,askilledworkforce,publicsupportandconstanteffortstocontrolqualityandproductioncostsarethemostimportantfactorsinkeepingthisMinnesotaindustrycompetitiveintheworldmarket�

Iron Ore in Your Future Modern wind turbines contain over 300 tons of steel

Photo courtesy of Minnesota Power

PAGE9

iron mining relies on computer technology to govern and monitor mining and processing. Computers increase productivity and help maintain uniform pellet quality.

Pellet quality is proven and hardened in taconite plant furnaces.

Mining companies control erosion on tailings basins by plantings that stabilize and nourish the surface. When inactive, tailings ponds and reclaimed mine land support vegetation and wildlife.

taconite pellets are transported to Lake superior ore docks then shipped by boat to steel mills in the eastern united states and Canada.

new ore boats carry 60,000 tons; equal to total production of the soudan Mine in 1884. they are built to fit the largest locks at sault ste. Marie.

the condition of the iron mining industry is tied directly to the health of the steel industry – from removing the ore to pouring molten steel.

Minnesota’sironminingindustryisconcernedabouttheenvironment�Beforeanyminingcommences,thoroughenvironmentalreviewsareconductedandpermitstomineincludeenvironmentalcontrolrequirements�Compliancerequirementsincludewateruse,dustcontrol,erosionprevention,overburdenstockpiles,airemissioncontrolandreclamationoftheland�Low-gradeironbearingmaterialsareseparatedandstockpiledforpossiblefutureusebydevelopingtechnologies�

Minnesota’sironminingandtaconitecompanieshaveprogramsdesignedtomeettheseneeds�Treeplanting,seedingoftailingsbasinsembank-mentsandstockpiles,recirculationofwater,anddustcontrolsystemsaresomeofthem�

ThedimensionsofminingmakeMinnesota’sIronRangeuniqueandfascinating�ThousandsoftouristscometotheIronRangeeachyeartowatchminingoperations,tomarvelattheopenpitsandtotourtaconiteplants�Attractionsalong

theIronRangearebeingsystematicallydevelopedinaprogramcalled“IronRangeCountry�”So,inaway,Minnesota’sironminingindustryispartofanotherindustry–thetouristindustry�AlwaysbringyourcamerawhenyouvisittheIronRange�

Safeguarding the Environment

the mining process includes continuous reclamation even as the sites are mined. Companies reclaim land for future use by the public. they include fields, wetlands, forests and lakes to be enjoyed by everyone.

PAGE10

iron Mining association of Minnesota324W�SuperiorStreet,Suite502Duluth,MN55802•(218)722-7724

www.taconite.org

iron and steel Producers:

arcelorMittal MinorcaOwner:ArcelorMittalManagingAgent:ArcelorMittalwww�arcelormittal�com

essar steel MinnesotaOwner:EssarSteelMinnesotawww�essar�com

Hibbing taconiteOwners:ArcelorMittal,CliffsNaturalResources,U�S�SteelManagingAgent:CliffsNaturalResourceswww�cliffsnaturalresources�com

Magnetation, inc.Owner:Magnetation,Inc�www�magnetation�com

Mesabi nuggetOwner:SteelDynamicsDelawarewww�steeldynamics�com

Mining resources, LLCOwner:SteelDynamics,MagnetationManagingAgent:SteelDynamicswww�steeldynamics�com

northshore Mining Owner:CliffsNaturalResourcesManagingAgent:CliffsNaturalResourceswww�cliffsnaturalresources�com

united taconiteOwner:CliffsNaturalResourcesManagingAgent:CliffsNaturalResourceswww�cliffsnaturalresources�com

u.s. steel – Keewatin taconiteOwner:U�S�SteelManagingAgent:U�S�Steelwww�ussteel�com

u.s. steel – MinntacOwner:U�S�SteelManagingAgent:U�S�Steelwww�ussteel�com

other sources of information:

TheMakingofIronOreintoSteelAmericanIronandSteelInstitute1140ConnecticutAve�NW,Suite705Washington,D�C�20036(202)452-7100

MiningIronOre,OtherMetalsandFuelsNationalMiningAssociation101ConstitutionAve�NW,Suite500EastWashington,D�C�20001(202)463-2600

ima 0712