Happy 130th birthday, iron mining!
On July 31, 1884, Minnesota’s very first shipment of iron ore left the Soudan Mine. On July 31, 2014, industry leaders, public officials, and other supporters gathered in Soudan to celebrate Minnesota’s 130th anniversary of iron mining.
The event, hosted by the Iron Mining Association, included remarks from John Rebrovich of the United Steelworkers and Larry Sutherland of U. S. Steel. Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board Commissioner Tony Sertich also presented a proclamation by Governor Mark Dayton that named July 31 as Minnesota Iron Day.
The Soudan Mine was owned and operated by U. S. Steel from 1901 until 1962. It became a state park in 1963 after U. S. Steel donated the property to the state. Today, the underground mine attracts more than 40,000 annual visitors.
The Iron Ore Alliance is proud of our industry’s rich heritage on the Iron Range. We are hopeful that our collaborative efforts will help strengthen the mining industry in Minnesota for many more decades.
