Open-Pit Mining on the Iron Ranges-1949

Open-pit mining on the iron range has been in a stage of transition for several years from the standpoint of mechanization. The most radical change in open-pit mining methods was started in open-pit haulage in 1937 with the departure from the then standard system of locomotive and car transportation and the advent of the heavy duty truck as a replacement. The initial use of trucks was followed shortly by the first installation of a conveyor belt for open-pit ore haulage. The growth of the combination of trucks for gathering units delivering to a conveyor system for transportation out of the pit, has been rapid and this transition appears to have reached a peak in 1949 with locomotives and cars now being used in only a few of the largest open pits. One point which must be considered, if we assume that the maximum equipment change- over point has been reached, is that the largest pits have probably passed their peak of production. Future ore replacement must come from smaller pits wherein the truck conveyor system has done an outstanding job.