Hull-Rust Mine, miners loading bags of explosives into blast hole during blasting practice

Abstract

Two miners load bags of explosive into blast hole at the Hull-Rust Mine. The Hull-Rust Mine (Hull Rust Mahoning Mine) near Hibbing, Minnesota is a series of connected open pit iron mines. The Hull Rust group of mines opened in 1895 as underground workings but were soon converted to open pit operations. The Mine was operated by the Oliver Iron Mining Company and became one of the most important iron ore producers in the US in the 1940s. The present pit was being operated by the Hibbing Taconite Company as of 2004 and is reputed to be the world's largest open pit iron mine.