The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-01-27
VERM|L|0N RANGE
MAINTAINS RECORD.
THE ORIGINAL IRON ORE PRO-
DUCERS OF MINNIE sofa
SHOW UP WELL-MUCH CON-
STRUCTION WORK AT PIO-
NEE2 MINE.

NEE2 MINE.
prominent writer in Skilling's
lg Review pays the Vermilion
* deserved tribute in the fol-
ing:
The Vermilion iron range, the
oldest of the Minnesota iron ranges,
maintained its record of being the
teadiest producer of all the Lake
-cp arior ranges in 1927. This dis
has the smallest number of
4oducing mines, only five, but three
of them are large properties, and all
of them maintain about the same
production year after year. In per-
iods of depression or imitation when
the other ranges show wide varia-
ton, the Vermilion pursues the even
tenor of its way, and 1927 was no
exception. With the 1927 ship
ments from the Lake Superior dist
riot showing a decrease of 12.79o
from those of 1926, the decrease in
the Vermilion range was only 2fn
from the previous year. Comparing
the Vermilion's total productions,
that of 1927 was actually about
1.STo higher than the 1926 produc-
ton. Total 1927 Vermilion range
shipments, railroad weights, both by
lake and all rail will be about 1850
900 tons as compared with 1885,
600 tons in 1926. All rail shipments
included in the 1927 total will be
about 10000 tons, slightly less than
those of the year previous.
Small Stockpiles at End of Season.
"The Vermilion range is locate
in st. Louis county, Minnesota, ly-
ing north of the Mesabi. 1t has
two mining centers, Ely and Tower,
about % miles apart. The past
year has been one of the busiest in
its history, as regards men employ
ed, volume of production, and con-
struction work. Very little ore was
carried over in stock at the end Of
the 1927 shipping season, and nor
NAL crews are employed at the pres
ent time, stockpiling against the
1928 requirements. About 1,400
men are employed in the ranges
five mines this winter.
Soudan Mine Shipments Higher.
SAT the southwest end of the
range near Tower is located the Sou
dan mine, operated by the Oliver
Iron Mining Co. This is the oldest
mine in the state, having shipped
steadily since 1884 without break.
Formerly known as the Minnesota
mine, it has served as the training
school for many mining men now
ranking high in the Lake Superior
district, and in other mining centers
of this country. The Soudan's out
put for the past season will total
about 100000 tons, an increase of
10000 tons over 1926. Included in
the shipments of 1927, are all rail
shipments of about 10000 tons to
the Minnesota Steel Co. plant at
Duluth. The Soudan product is a
high grade non-bessemer lump, max
ing a very desirable furnace pro-
ua"+ 1t is mined by the backstope-
i filling system, its extreme
5ss requiring that particular
iSion be paid to the drilling and
'1ing of the ore. The Soudan
=. was recently electrified, the
AT, concreted, and modern build
ings, machinery, and equipment
provided throughout. 1t now has
one of the finest plants in the Lake
Superior district. With IA years OF
iuction behind it, the Soudan is
opposed TO have many years of ac-
tiyity ahead of it. The total out
put to date from the property is ap-
proximately 1O,240,000 tons. Some
exploration and development work
is now in progress at the property.
Nearly 800 men are at present en-
ployed, and a normal active season