Aggregate & Landscaping Stone

We have for lease to operating aggregate companies very large quantities of landscaping stone, riprap, and aggregate. The resources available are described below.

The iron mining industry, in the production of iron ore (taconite) pellets in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northern Minnesota, removes huge quantities of gravel, granite boulders, slaty iron formation, and siliceous/quartzitic iron formation. These materials are finding an increased market for aggregate and landscaping applications. Tailings from the processing of taconite are also finding application in the construction industry.
The glacial drift (bouldery drift), made up primarily of granite and metamorphic rock, makes excellent aggregate. Screened boulders are used for riprap, with large boulders (especially granite) used for landscaping as decorative stone, riprap, and in retaining walls.
Slaty and siliceous/quartzitic iron formation with lower recoverable iron is crushed to produce railroad ballast. It is high density (specific gravity 3.3 or 200 lb/cubic foot). Slaty iron formation is also used for aggregate, riprap, decorative stone, and retaining walls. The compressive strength of the iron formation is 30,000-50,000 psi, and it contains a very high percentage of silica (quartz) making the crushed product angular, very hard, and wear resistant. Taconite tailings, which have the same physical characteristics, are used as aggregate in blacktop or as a surface treatment for icy roads.
These materials can be transported by train and Great Lakes boats at a low cost to Midwest and Great Lakes population centers. Ongoing taconite operations with established infrastructure and local crushing and loading contractors create a cost competitive source in comparison to development of new aggregate sites in metro areas.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the feasibility of utilizing these materials in your operations and business. To explore these opportunities, contact Dave Meineke at 218.262.6127, Extension 135, or e-mail dmeineke@merideneng.com.

Example of Crushed Taconite

Example of Landscaping Boulders

Example of Pit Run

Example of Taconite Tailings