Mine

5 photos · 2017–2022

5 photographs tagged Mine, 2017–2022.

Related: Abandoned Minnesota South Dakota Iron Range Mine shaft Mining
Drilling rig operates in the Hull-Rust-Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine in Hibbing, Minnesota.
The Hull–Rust–Mahoning Mine near Hibbing, Minnesota, is often called the Grand Canyon of the North for its scale. Mining began here in 1895, and over more than a century of operation the pit grew to roughly three miles long, two miles wide, and 535 feet deep. It has yielded more than 800 million tons of iron ore, much of it feeding steel production during both World Wars. Hibbing Taconite continues processing operations in the district today, and the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Drill Rig at Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine, Hibbing

Flooded Wacootah Mine pit in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, filled with blue water and surrounded by autumn forest.
The Wacootah Mine was an iron ore pit on Minnesota's Mesabi Range, near Mountain Iron in St. Louis County. Mining operations in the area date to the late 1800s, part of the broader Mesabi Range district that once supplied a large share of the nation's iron ore. Like many exhausted pits on the Range, the former excavation has filled with groundwater, forming a lake within the surrounding second-growth forest. The site sits within the same mining district as the nearby Minntac operation, one of Minnesota's largest active taconite processing plants.

Autumn Colors Around the Flooded Wacootah Mine Pit

Girl in an abandoned mine shaft opening
This natural rock formation, resembling an abandoned mine entrance, is located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The area has a rich history of mining, particularly for gold and other precious metals, which began in the late 19th century. While this specific opening may not have been a functional mine shaft, its geological structure and the surrounding landscape are indicative of the mineral-rich environment that attracted prospectors. Today, such formations are often explored for their natural beauty and geological interest, offering a glimpse into the region's past and its enduring appeal.

Abandoned Mine Entrance, Black Hills, South Dakota

Abandoned gold mine entrance carved into a rocky hillside in the Black Hills, South Dakota.
This abandoned mine entrance in the Black Hills of South Dakota is a relic of the region's 19th-century gold rush. Carved into the hillside, likely by hand or with early blasting techniques, the opening once led to mineral-rich veins sought for gold, silver, and iron sulfides.

Old Mine Tunnel Carved Into a Black Hills Hillside

Abandoned mine adit in the Black Hills near Lead, South Dakota, with a timber-framed portal and drainage channel
An abandoned mine adit in the Black Hills near Lead, South Dakota, opens into a steep hillside. A timber-framed portal and narrow drainage channel remain in place at the entrance, with weathered boards and debris scattered along the runoff path.

Abandoned Mine Adit, Black Hills near Lead, South Dakota

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