taconite

American  

[tak-uh-nahyt] / ˈtæk əˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a low-grade iron ore, containing about 27 percent iron and 51 percent silica, found as a hard rock formation in the Lake Superior region.

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taconite British  

/ ˈtækəˌnaɪt /

noun

1. a fine-grained sedimentary rock containing magnetite, haematite, and silica, which occurs in the Lake Superior region: a low-grade iron ore

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Etymology

Origin of taconite

1890–95, named after the Taconic mountain range (east of the Hudson River); -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The state of Minnesota terminated Mesabi Metallics’ mineral rights after the company missed the deadline for a $200 million down payment to finish the taconite plant near Nashwauk.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2022

An expedition ship like the Octantis is dwarfed by the 1,000-foot-long lakers that carry taconite, salt and iron ore.

From New York Times • Sep. 13, 2022

Both projects are located in Minnesota's Iron Range region, which has a long history of mining taconite ore for steel production.

From Reuters • Jul. 20, 2022

Utility Minnesota Power has proposed a pilot project to state regulators in which it would help the region’s iron and taconite mines acquire heavy-duty electric vehicles to help shrink their carbon footprint.

From Washington Times • Aug. 22, 2020

Missiles are already working the economically unminable taconite ore of the Mesabi Range, have helped build the St. Lawrence Seaway, and are bringing down costs in quarrying.

From The Practical Values of Space Exploration Report of the Committee on Science and Astronautics, U.S. House of Representatives, Eighty-Sixth Congress, Second Session by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Astronautics.