Iron and Minerals of the Future Initiative

About Strategic Initiatives

To meet our mission of delivering integrated research solutions, NRRI is focused on three strategic initiatives that address the challenges of Minnesota’s resource-based economy. These initiatives are bold and long-term efforts to create the economy of the future by incorporating diverse expertise across NRRI, the University system and with our partners.

Initiative Overview

NRRI's Iron and Minerals of the Future initiative focuses research to assist Minnesota’s evolving mineral industries to develop a robust and competitive portfolio of value-add iron and other mineral products. This requires new practices and technologies that increase efficiencies, reduce energy and water consumption and prevent environmental contamination.

Impact

After some 140 years of mining, the iron ore on the Mesabi Range is getting deeper and more expensive to mine. At the same time, energy costs are going up and markets are changing, along with concerns about environmental impacts. NRRI is helping Minnesota’s Iron Range prepare for changing mining practices and processes to meet the demands of changing ore bodies and develop a broader, iron-based product portfolio.

Goal

This Initiative is a collaborative effort to develop and introduce a portfolio of practices, processes, iron and non-ferrous products that require less energy and water while also reducing effluents. The goal is to provide research and development into areas that iron ore mining companies don’t have the resources to fully investigate and to reduce their risk in making changes.

Sample Projects

Value-added byproduct use for road maintenance products
Evaluate uses for iron mining waste piles
New processing technologies for ore mixes of magnetite, goethite and hematite
New processes for higher value Direct Reduced Grade (DRG) and Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) products for Electric Arc Furnace steel production
Technical assistance for developing iron ore potential in long-term battery storage