Great lake boats, a good video

[MossRoad]

How innovation saved the Iron Range | Natural Resources Research Institute

“Geologists tell us that nature laid down the taconite here on the Range a billion years ago.The next day Ed Davis started trying to sell it to the steel companies.”

www.nrri.umn.edu

 

[cqaigy2]

Interesting article.

 

[MossRoad]

Thing is, I've seen estimates that the iron range in Minnesota will be played out in another 100 years. Won't affect me, but it's hard to imagine. Canada still has more reserves. And Brazil and Russia and China have always had more than us and they won't be able to play those deposits out in several centuries.

 

[ArlyA]

There is lots of iron oxide out there but its the technology, contaminates and its depth that's the tricky part.

A few years ago Brazil opened up a new mine that was "truckless" and Australia was doing one was well. They claimed they could make pellets for some low, low price. Today its 164.77 U.S. dollars per ton in the USA. These new mines claimed they could make them for less than $100. It was X years ago I read the story but they're claimed price may have been $50.

 

[cqaigy2]

I'm guessing more processing at the mines, prior to shipping.

 

[ArlyA]

Soo locks new lock, update....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9,000 tons of rock unloaded for Soo Locks construction​

4/30 - Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The barge Menominee unloaded rock for Kokosing-Alberici, contractors that are starting on the second phase of the Soo Locks project this year, last Friday afternoon.

It was announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers new lock at the Soo project is on schedule and initiated phase two last week. Kokosing Construction Company is one of the largest family-owned contractors in the midwest.

“Kokosing-Alberici will use some of the rock to form a parking lot at the end of West Pier and use the rest for new lock construction projects,” said Carrie Fox, public affairs specialist at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Fox said it took approximately two hours total to unload 19,000 tons of rock.

Trade West Construction, Inc., and joint venture Kokosing-Alberici began moving equipment to the site last week. Trade West continues phase one, deepening the upstream channel to the Sabin and Davis Locks, which will be replaced by the new lock. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials expect phase one completion in November.

Kokosing-Alberici is starting phase two this year, rehabilitating the upstream approach walls. This will stabilize the existing approach walls allowing modern vessels to tie up and wait their turn to pass through the new lock. Phase two is anticipated to be complete by fall 2023 with winter seasonal breaks.

The Menominee is a bulk carrier that was built in 1952 and has undergone many name changes since its birth, formerly named Lewis J. Kuber, Buckeye and Sparrows Point. For more information about the new Soo Lock, visit www.lre.usace.army.mil/about/highlighted-projects/new_soo_lock/.

The Sault News

 

[MossRoad]

Their link to the new lock info doesn't work.

I think this is an accurate link.

New_Soo-Lock

 

[ArlyA]

The tug Dirk S VanEnkevort (formerly Joseph H. Thompson Jr) sailing up the St. Clair while traveling from Erie to Sturgeon Bay WI to connect with the new barge Michigan Trader!

 

[ArlyA]

Here is the new barge-tug pulling into Duluth MN.

 

[5030]

Think I'd get as nosebleed getting up to the pilothouse...