A new way to market iron ore is underway in the Northland.
5,000 tons of low grade iron ore from United Taconite is on its way to Chicago. Instead of heading for the steel mills, it will be used in road construction.
"It's a new beginning for us, in terms of marketing iron ore. We're always looking for ways to stabilize our taconite industry, with value added products or byproducts, like this road aggregate," said Don Fosnacht, Director of the Natural Resources Research Institute run by UMD.
Researchers have tested and proved that waste rock from the mining industry can be used successfully in different highway projects. This has been done locally. Now it's being marketed and sold to places like Chicago.
The rock was loaded at Hallett Dock on Thursday afternoon. It's being brought down on the vintage barge the Pere Marquette, with the help of the tug Undaunted.
Officials say this type of rock has been shipped before, but never for the road project purpose. The hope is more shipments happen in the future.
Source: WDIO-TV
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