Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Dan Kraker
Duluth

New Iron Range overlook offers views of massive mine

A view of the Hull Rust Mahoning Mine pit
A view of the Hull Rust Mahoning Mine pit through one of the viewpoints at the new mine view site in Hibbing.
Photo courtesy of Iron Range Tourism Bureau

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

After being closed for more than a year, a new viewpoint offering sweeping vistas of an operating iron ore mine opens this weekend in Hibbing, Minn.

The site overlooks the Hull Rust Mahoning Mine, a giant eight-mile-long open pit that's nearly four miles across at its widest point. It's been dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the North."

In October 2017, the old viewpoint overlooking the pit was closed to make way for Hibbing Taconite, which wanted to access the ore underneath the site.

The new site, on top of an old waste rock pile, provides an even more commanding view, said Beth Pierce, who directs the Iron Range Tourism Bureau.

A view of the city of Hibbing from the new mine view site.
A view of the city of Hibbing from the new mine view site.
Photo courtesy of Iron Range Tourism Bureau

"You can see 30-40 miles out in any direction," said Pierce. "You can see the city of Hibbing. And, of course, you can see Hibbing Taconite's operations."

Pierce said the new viewpoint is one of the few places to see an active mine site on the Iron Range. The giant haul trucks look tiny on the floor of the open pit below, she said.

Visitors to the new site can also get an up-close look at old mining equipment, including a production truck and shovel buckets.

The giant mine pit was gradually formed over the years by nearly 40 mining operations, both underground and open pit. The Hull Rust Mine began mining operations in 1896. Hibbing Taconite continues to mine today.

Having to move infrastructure like the mine view site, to make way for mining, is nothing new on the Iron Range. Indeed, the city of Hibbing itself was moved a century ago to make room for the expanding mine pit. Buildings were mounted on steel wheels and moved two miles; some buildings were cut in half during the move.

And two years ago, U.S. Highway 53 was moved to clear the way for Cleveland Cliffs to expand its United Taconite operation between Eveleth and Virginia. That reroute includes a new bridge over an abandoned, water-filled iron ore pit that's the highest in the state.

About 25,000 people a year visited the old Hibbing mine view site, from all around the world, Pierce said. She expects even more at the new venue.