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Northshore Mine

Producer in St. Louis county in Minnesota, United States with commodity Iron
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Public Land Survey System information
  6. Commodities
  7. Materials information
  8. Nearby scientific data
  9. Ore body information
  10. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  11. Mining district
  12. Mineral rights holdings
  13. Land status
  14. Ownership information
  15. Production statistics
  16. Reserves and resources
  17. Workings at the site
  18. Links to other databases
  19. Bibliographic references
  20. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10268163
MAS/MILS ID 0271370024
Record type Site
Current site name Northshore Mine
Alternate or previous names Peter Mitchell Mine, Babbitt Mine, Reserve Mine

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -91.94188, 47.6625 (WGS84)
Elevation 535
Location accuracy 10(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

St. Louis(county)

Minnesota(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Babbitt(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Ely(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Two Harbors(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

St. Louis(hydrologic unit)

St. Louis(hydrologic accounting unit)

Western Lake Superior(hydrologic subregion)

Great Lakes(hydrologic region)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Minnesota St. Louis

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
4th Principal 060 N 013 W 24 Minnesota

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Iron Primary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Actinolite Unknown
Andradite Unknown
Biotite Unknown
Calcite Unknown
Chert Unknown
Cummingtonite Unknown
Diopside Unknown
Fayalite Unknown
Graphite Unknown
Hedenbergite Unknown
Hematite Unknown
Hornblende Unknown
Hypersthene Unknown
Magnetite Unknown
Plagioclase Unknown
Pyrite Unknown
Pyrrhotite Unknown
Quartz Unknown
Riebeckite Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -91.94188, 47.6625
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Strike N75E
    Dip 07S
    Thickness 42.7M
    Length 16100M
    Width 800M
    Area 14165HA
    Depth to top 0M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 TABULAR
    Type of Orebody #2 DISSEMINATED
    Type of Orebody #3 REPLACEMENT
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Secondary mode of Origin CONT METASOMATIC
    Primary Ore Control LITHOLOGY
    Secondary Ore Control BEDDING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. INTENSE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 UNKNOWN
    Strike And Dip N75E:07S
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Total Surface Area (HA) 14165
    Date of Last Modification 910628

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1869
Year of first production 1955

Mining district

District name Eastern Mesabi

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Fee Ownership

Land status

Ownership category Mixed

Ownership information

  • Type Owner
    Owner Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co.
    ID 2100209
    Interest 100
    Home office 1100 Superior Ave, Cleveland 44114
    Year 1994

Comments on the ownership information

  • THIS OPERATION WENT BANKRUPT IN 1986 AND WAS PURCHASED BY CYPRUS IN 1989. ALL CAPITAL COSTS INCURRED PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE ARE WRITTEN OFF. THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE PROPERTY WAS $52 MILLION. FROM THIS COST A MINE AND MILL BREAKDOWN WAS ESTIMATED BASED ON THE UNDEPRECIATED VALUE OF THE MINE AND MILL. THE MILL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT TOTAL INCLUDES $35 MILLION FOR MILL ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE MADE 1989-1990. CLEVELAND-CLIFFS ACQUIRED CYPRUS NORTHSHORE MINING CORP. AND SILVER DAY POWER CORP FROM CYPRUS-AMAX MINERALS CORP FOR $66 MILLION PLUS NET WORKING CAPITAL IN SEP 1994.

Production statistics

  • Year 1956
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 3642100 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 3642100mt
  • Year 1957
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 5203100 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 5203100mt
  • Year 1958
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 5074100 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 5074100mt
  • Year 1959
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 3698200 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 3698200mt
  • Year 1960
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 5020399 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 5020399mt
  • Year 1961
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 6034199 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 6034199mt
  • Year 1962
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 5657100 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 567100mt
  • Year 1963
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 7821100 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 7821100mt
  • Year 1964
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 10498999 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 1049899mt
  • Year 1965
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 10126000 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 1012600mt
  • Year 1966
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 10807000 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 1080700mt
  • Year 1967
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 9691199 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 9691199mt
  • Year 1968
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 9669100 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 9669100mt
  • Year 1969
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 10820000 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 1082000mt
  • Year 1970
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 9989100 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 9989100mt
  • Year 1971
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 9617800 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 9617800mt
  • Year 1972
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 9632399 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 9632399mt
  • Year 1973
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 11052000 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 1105200mt
  • Year 1974
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 10565000 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 1056500mt
  • Year 1975
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 9114800 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 9114800mt
  • Year 1976
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 9849100 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 9849100mt
  • Year 1977
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 4520100 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 4520100mt
  • Year 1978
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 9763500 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 9763500mt
  • Year 1979
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 8399600 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 8399600mt
  • Year 1980
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 4469500 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 4469500mt
  • Year 1981
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 7718600 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 7718600mt
  • Year 1982
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 2158300 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 2158300mt
  • Year 1983
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 2760600 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 2760600mt
  • Year 1984
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 3686200 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 3686200mt
  • Year 1985
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 3480900 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 3480900mt
  • Year 1986
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 1472900 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 1472900mt
  • Year 1987
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 185200 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 185200mt
  • Year 1990
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 2233700 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 2233700mt
  • Year 1991
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 1961200 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 1961200mt
  • Year 1992
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 1748800 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 1748800mt
  • Year 1993
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Total Shipped 3730300 Metric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 3730300mt
  • Year 1994
    Accuracy Estimate
    Description Iron Ore Pellets - Est. Total Shipped 3760000 Mteric Tons For The Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major PELLETS Iron Iron 3760000mt

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Measured 1219600000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Iron Fe 24.2 wt-pct Iron Major 1994

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • M1C1=M9C4 Q-MATRIX 2 RES. FROM CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS CO. 1993 ANNUAL REPORT P. 62. (RESERVES AS OF JAN 1, 1994.)
  • MESABI RANGE; IN RANGE BLOCK 12 AND 13 W OF MARSDEN STUDY (0271370046); 4500000 TONS SHIPPED IN 1978. OTHER NAME: RESERVE PETER MITCHELL. 1994 UPDATE: CLEVELAND-CLIFFS HAS ACQUIRED CYPRUS NORTHSHORE MINING CORP. AND CYPRUS SILVER BAY POWER CORP. FROM CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS CORP FOR $66 MILLION PLUS NET WORKING CAPITAL IN SEP 30, 1994.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 1295HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Swell Factor .61
    Percent Waste Rock 0
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 0
    Hardness of Ore HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 10.7
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 45
    Capacity 19756
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 1.7
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 360
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1991

Comments on other economic factors

  • THIS OPERATION WENT BANKRUPT IN 1986 AND WAS PURCHASED BY CYPRUS IN 1989. ALL CAPITAL COSTS INCURRED PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE ARE WRITTEN OFF. THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE PROPERTY WAS $52 MILLION. FROM THIS COST A MINE AND MILL BREAKDOWN WAS ESTIMATED BASED ON THE UNDEPRECIATED VALUE OF THE MINE AND MILL. THE MILL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT TOTAL INCLUDES $35 MILLION FOR MILL ADDITIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE MADE 1989-1990.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Production

    SANDSTROM, D. A. THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF

  • Production

    MINES. ST. LOUIS CO., MINNESOTA, 1981-1989.

  • Production

    SKILLINGS' MINING REVIEW. CYPRUS NORTHSHORE'S PELLET SHIP-

  • Production

    MENTS AT 2198519 GT. JANUARY 12, 1991, P. 38.

  • Production

    HILSHORST, H.(MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT). CYPRUS NORTH-

  • Production

    SHORE MINING CORP. PERSONAL COMMUNICATION, MAY 2, 1991.

  • Reserve-Resource

    CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS CO 1993 ANNUAL REPORT, P. 62.

  • Workings

    PASTIKA, P.(CHIEF ENGINEER). CYPRUS NORTHSHORE MINING CORP.

  • Workings

    PERSONAL COMMUNICATION, MAY 1, 1991.

  • Deposit

    FRENCH, B. M. PROGRESSIVE CONTACT METAMORPHISM OF THE BI-

  • Deposit

    WABIK IRON-FORMATION, MESABI RANGE, MINNESOTA. MINN.

  • Deposit

    GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULL. 45, 1968, 103 PP.

  • Deposit

    GUNDERSEN, J. N., AND G. M. SCHWARTZ. THE GEOLOGY OF THE

  • Deposit

    METAMORPHOSED BIWABIK IRON-FORMATION, EASTERN MESABI DIS-

  • Deposit

    TRICT, MINNESOTA. MINN. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULL. 43, 1962,

  • Deposit

    139 PP.

  • Deposit

    MARSDEN, R. W. IRON ORE RESERVES OF THE MESABI RANGE, MIN-

  • Deposit

    NESOTA (A MINERALS AVAILABILITY SYSTEM REPORT). BUMINES

  • Deposit

    OPEN FILE REPT. 109-80, 1980, 73 PP.

  • Deposit

    MOREY, G. B. MESABI RANGE, IN GEOLOGY OF MINNESOTA: A CEN-

  • Deposit

    TENNIAL VOLUME (CHAP. IV--MIDDLE PRECAMBRIAN), ED. BY P.

  • Deposit

    K. SIMS AND G. B. MOREY. MINN. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 1972, PP.

  • Deposit

    204-217.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS' MINING REVIEW, JULY 26, 1986, P. 21.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 07-OCT-96 Dolzani, Roger L. U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

Current status (per MSHA)

StatusActive since 09/01/1989
MSHA mine ID2100209
Mine name (MSHA)Northshore Mining Company
Current operatorNorthshore Mining Company
Current controller (parent)Cleveland-Cliffs Inc
Mine typeSurface (Metal / non-metal)

MSHA cross-reference per the original MRDS record. Mine status and operator reflect MSHA's last published Mines export (February 2025); MSHA's public bulk feed has been unavailable since, so this may be out of date. See the Mine Data Retrieval System for current status.

Open MSHA's Mine Data Retrieval System for inspections, accidents, and violations for this mine.

Operator history (post-MRDS)

MRDS records operators as of each record's last update (≤ 2019). Some of the operators listed here have since changed hands or dissolved:

  • Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. — renamed to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (2017)
    Reorganized and renamed Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. in 2017 as the parent shifted from iron-ore focus to steelmaking.

Curated by qvyshift.com from publicly-reported M&A activity (SEC filings, press releases, USGS Mineral Yearbooks). Not authoritative — verify against primary sources before relying on it. The MSHA panel above is the current authoritative source for actively-permitted mines.

External references

Maps centered on this site