Open Pit Mine 1941

Copper?  Iron ore?  Too bad we can 't make out what is annoying EPA.

colorado hirailer posted:

Copper?

Not in Minnesota!  

  Iron ore? 

Yes.

Too bad we can 't make out what is annoying EPA.

There was no "EPA" in 1941. Please,,,,,,,,try and pay attention to the facts of the thread.

I'm in Upper Michigan, kind of a sister in terrain, climate and economy to Minnesota. I really enjoy all the rich mining heritage and current operations.  Neat stuff.

Both Copper and steel are processed heavily from scrap metal.  Steel/pig iron from blast furnaces, which require iron ore, is still done.  Impurities from/in scrap a problem.    Environmental problems associated with coke ovens, blast furnace also limit this process.  Recent air quality concerns, Edgar Thompson works, along the Monogahela River, Pittsburgh.  

Keep in mind the picture shows less than 1% of the mine, which stretches out to about 2 miles by 3 miles.

The mine moved the entire town on their dime and built a new high school/jr. college plus many other buildings for Hibbing. Don

Hot Water posted:

colorado hirailer posted:

Copper?

Not in Minnesota!  

 

A lot of copper was found and taken out of the western part of the Upper Penninsula of Michigan at one time. There are still some copper mines open to visitors. I did a tour of one years ago. Many refer to that area as "Copper Country."

There are a lot of copper/nickel deposits in northern Minnesota, an estimated 4 billion tons of copper, nickel and other valuable metals, but to date there has been little in the way of development and production. That may or may not happen in the future.

Iron ore is still mined and shipped from several parts of the Upper Penninsula of Michigan as well, such as Marquette and Ishpeming, which still have active ore docks. Lots of rail action to and from those docks.

1941, fresh track laying. At one time this was the largest open pit mine in the world. A rich vain of Iron Ore was found under the old town, that's why they offered to move the entire town. Don

Interesting history - thanks for posting. More of the story is available from Wikipedia.

We visited the Iron Range a few years ago. Sat up on hillside watching the mining operation. You can visit North Hibbing with its streets, sidewalks and no buildings. Plaques indicate which building was where before they moved everything. There’s also the very informative and transportation related Greyhound Bus museum. Worth checking out this area if you’re ever in MInnesota. Great post Don.

Steve, your right about the Greyhound Bus Museum. The Greyhound Bus company started there. The Museum and gift shop looks interesting, maybe something in O scale there. Don