Taconite (Iron Ore)
Taconite once processed becomes the raw material used to make steel. It is the rock/mineral from which metallic iron can be economically extracted. It was first discovered in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in 1844 where it was taken from iron ore mines.
Uses: Its main use is in steel, which can be used to build factories, sky scrapers,
rail roads, farm machinery and bridges.
Color: Taconite’s color is typically a dirty red/orange/copper color.
Fun fact! Did you know? The cargo of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in Lake Superior, consisted of approximately 26,116 long tons of taconite pellets.
