For generations, mining has been a cornerstone of the Minnesota economy, thanks to its rich natural resources and evolving technology. Today, advanced exploration methods and material handling and conveying systems allow miners to access minerals that were out of reach just a few short decades ago. Below are some of the minerals that are mined from Minnesota bedrock.

What Minerals Are Mined in Minnesota?

1. Iron

By far, Minnesota is the largest supplier of raw iron ore in the United States, producing up to 40 million tons per year. While most of the high-quality iron reserves were exhausted long ago, modern mining methods and material handling and conveying systems allow producers to upgrade low-grade ore into steel used in industries across the country.

2. Clay

Clay may not be seen as a high-demand natural resource, but it’s an essential ingredient in porcelain, construction materials, and even some medicines. Currently, most clay mining occurs in the Minnesota River Valley, although geologists are exploring other deposits across the state.

3. Sand

Thousands of years ago, retreating glaciers left huge deposits of silica sand across the state. Today, those resources are mined and used in glass-making, electronics manufacturing, and energy extraction processes.

4. Granite & Limestone

Minnesota is home to extensive deposits of granite and limestone, which can be extracted in large blocks from rock quarries. Crushed stone also has a wide range of construction applications, from road-building to decorative landscaping. Mining for gravel and other aggregate products takes place in almost every county in the state.

Industrial Components Sales of Hudson, WI, with offices in Bemidji, MN, Delavan, WI, and Lincoln, NE, supplies high-quality material handling and conveying equipment to mining operations throughout the region. They stock only the best, most reliable products on the market, and have a dedicated team of highly experienced agents ready to help you find the right components for your application. Visit their website for more information on their material handling and conveying products, or call (612) 991-0263 to reach their headquarters in Hudson. To speak to a representative at their Bemidji office, call (651) 270-0151, or dial (608) 630-1642 to contact their Delavan location.