MINNESOTA—1992  289TABLE 2 
 
 
MINNESOTA: PRODUCTION AND SHEPMENTS OF USABLE IRON ORE' 
 
(Thousand metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified) 
 
Natural ore 
Year 
and 
concentrates 
Production 
 
 
 
Shipments 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural ore and 
concentrates 
Pellets 
Total2 
of pellets 
to total ore 
(percent) 
 
Pellets 
Total2 
Iron 
content 
(percent) 
 
 
 
 
 1987 1,516 
32,748 
34,264 
64.22 
1,663 
32,610 
34,273 
95.15 
 1988 825 
40,624 
41,449 
63.95 
760 
39,974 
40,734 
98.13 
 1989 613 
40,758 
41,370 
63.84 
613 
40,432 
41,044 
98.51 
 1990 535 
44,625 
45,160 
63.69 
498 
44,642 
45,140 
98.90 
 1991 789 
42,203 
42,991 
63.75 
829 
42,137 
42,966 
98.07 
 1992 650 
40,421 
41,071 
63.70 
673 
41,675 
42,348 
98.41 
1Exclusive of ore containing 5 % or more manganese. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2Data may not add to totals shown because of independen 
t rounding. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Some concerns were expressed over the company's reclamation plans. 
 During the year, the Minnesota River Valley Coalition of Kaolin was seeking
a 
$210,000 grant to fund the hiring of a full-time coordinator for the coalition.
The coalition wanted someone knowledgeable in resource development. 
The Natural Resources Research Institute was helping the coalition lobby
for the grant. The coalition also proposed a study that would examine existing
facilities and future transportation development projects directly tied to
kaolin production and export. A new $1 million rail spur to the kaolin mines
north of Belview to allow direct loading of kaolin onto rail cars was one
future transportation project under consideration. 
 
 Gemstones.—The estimated value of gemstones produced in Minnesota
increased significantly over 1991's estimated value. A precise value could
not be determined for gem material 
~ collected by rock hounds, mineral 
~ collectors, and other hobbyists, and no 
~ commercial gemstone mining operations 
~ were reported in Minnesota during the 
~ year. Lapidary materials found in the 
~ State include thomsonite,jasper, catlinite, 
~ silkstone, binghamite, and Lake Superior 
~ agates in addition to a variety of mineral 
~ and fossil specimens. 
 Lime.—Lime production in the State rose more than 20 % in quantity
and 15% 
in value compared with 1991 figures. Two sugar-beet processing companies,
American Crystal Sugar and Southern Minnesota Sugar, produced and consumed

all of the State's reported lime 
production. Limestone used to manufacture the quicklime produced by 
~ the companies was obtained from out-of- 
~ State sources. Apparently, lime used for 
~ other purposes was shipped in from out- 
~ of-State also. 
 Nutralime, a new fertilizer developed ~ from spent lime generated at municipal
water-treatment plants and sewage sludge 
~ incinerator ash was being successfully 
tested on a farm in Isanti County. Stiffer 
regulations on new landfills had forced 
the Metropolitan Waste Control 
Commission to find ways to utilize waste products generated from sewage and
water-treatment facilities. 
 
Peat.—Minnesota's annual peat sales 
rose more than 14 % in quantity and about 45 % in value compared with 1991
figures. Average unit value of peat 
produced in the State increased from about $55 per short ton in 1991 to $70
per short ton. Most peat harvested in 
Minnesota was of the sphagnum variety; the remainder was principally reed-sedge
with only a small amount of hypnum being produced. Minnesota's peat was 
used for soil improvement, as a packing material for plants, and as a seed
inoculant. Eight companies reported peat production in the State. 
 
 Sand and Gravel.—Construction.— Construction sand and
gravel
production is surveyed by the USBM for evennumbered years only; data for
oddnumbered years are based on annual company estimates. This annual report
contains actual data for 1990 and 1992 and estimates for 1991. 
 Substantial increases were realized in the quantity (53 %) and value (68
%) of Minnesota's construction sand and gravel compared with 1991 estimates.

Compared with actual data reported for 1990, the quantity decreased 5 % and
value increased 8%. 
 Controversy over construction sand and gravel operations continued throughout
the year. Four construction 
sand and gravel mining permits reportedly were approved during the year.
The Washington County Planning Commission granted gravel mining permits to
BTG Property Co., Northern Con-Ag. Co. , and the Washington County Public
Works. The Wright County Planning Commission approved Maurice LaTour's gravel
mining permit. 
 
 Industrial.—Output and value of industrial sand increased about
1
1 % and 
21 %, respectively, from data compiled in