Minnesota produced $3.3 billion of non-fuel minerals in 2016, ranking the fifth largest value among states, according to a recent report issued by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Minerals Information Center.
Minnesota mines produced 4.4 percent of the nation's non-fuel minerals, with iron ore, sand and gravel, and crushed stone topping the list of minerals mined from the land of 10,000 states.
Minnesota's production was only exceeded by Nevada, Arizona,Texas, and California. Minnesota's Iron Range in the northeast pocket of the state boasts the largest and richest iron ore depository nationwide. It is home to more than seven mining and ore pelletizing processing operations, including United Taconite, Hibbing Taconite,Northshore Mining, and MinnTac.
