Taconite (/ ˈtækənaɪt /) is a variety of banded iron formation, an iron -bearing (over 15% iron) sedimentary rock, in which the iron minerals are interlayered with quartz, chert, or carbonate.

taconite, a low-grade siliceous iron ore composed of 20–30 percent magnetite that occurs in fine-grained banded iron formations. Taconite is mined primarily in the U.S., in the Mesabi Iron Range in …

Taconite is mined from the Mesabi Iron Range, near Hibbing, MN. Then it is processed into pellets and moved by train--or on ore boats from Duluth--to ports and steel mills around the Great Lakes region.

Taconite is a variety of low-grade iron ore essential to modern steel production, particularly across North America. The widespread depletion of naturally occurring, high-purity iron deposits required the …

May 22, 2025 · Taconite is a low-grade iron ore characterized by its fine-grained, hard, and siliceous nature. It primarily consists of magnetite and hematite particles embedded within a silicate matrix, …

Using explosives, the taconite is blasted into small pieces. The taconite pieces are scooped up by electric shovels. Each shovel can hold up to 85 tons of rock. The shovels place the taconite into giant …

Dec 30, 2025 · Taconite is a flint-like type of rock containing low-grade iron ore. Vast reserves of taconite, with iron concentrations of 30-50%, were discovered in 1870 near present-day Babbitt, on …

The rock being mined now is a lower grade ore called taconite, which has about 25–30% iron content. Taconite is a hard, dense rock containing a mixture of silicates and magnetite and is abundant on the …

Jan 9, 2026 · More Iron Range steelworker layoffs looming as Cleveland Cliffs cuts production Nearly 50 Hibbing Taconite workers received notice that they’ll be out of work Feb. 1, following the layoff of ...

Taconite (Iron Ore) Taconite once processed becomes the raw material used to make steel. It is the rock/mineral from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. It was first discovered in …