Solution for Iron Range economy

I’m no expert, but I came across this and I would guess that $20/gallon taconite pellets would turn the Iron Range economy around in a hurry?  I haven’t done the math but I’m pretty sure this deal looks like a winner!

12 Comments

BryGuy

about 15 years ago

Ok, I just did the math and it works out to $2500/ton at $20/gallon.  Currently it looks like iron ore pellets go for ~$50/ton.

Beverly

about 15 years ago

someone is stealing those pellets from someone. i realize they're sitting all over the ground by the railroad tracks, but still ...

BryGuy

about 15 years ago

He's looking to corner the market one gallon at a time :-O

Chester Dark

about 15 years ago

I wonder if the seller ships them via ore boat?

MikefromFlorida

about 15 years ago

First time I visited Duluth as a kid in the 70's, my little bro and I were so fascinated by the industry we hauled back a few pounds of taconite and other similar "Iron Rangeish" souvenirs. That was some heavy luggage!

Chester Dark

about 15 years ago

I'm thinking about the potential buyers....are there many backyard smelters out there? Is there some sort of nostalgic-need for people that have moved away? Is the cost of metallic weights really high? Are the little pellets an attractive home design option?

ericswan

about 15 years ago

Taconite pellets are the ultimate slingshot ammunition

lojasmo

about 15 years ago

kettlebells cost $105 for a 45# weight.

Tim K

about 15 years ago

Beverly's comment reminds me of a story my Grandfather told me. When he was a kid, they'd pick up spilled coal along the tracks with which they'd heat their crappy little worker shacks. If one of the railroad cops (dicks, goons, insert perjorative here) caught them, they'd drag them to the Sheriff's for prosecution of theft. To his (Grandpa's) knowledge, the Sheriff always let the coal "theives" go.

udarnik

about 15 years ago

Some of my old relatives recently told me a story about how during the Depression trainmen would throw extra coal out the window for children to collect and take home.  My great-aunt remembers being told to go out to meet the train and wait for the coal.  She also said that some trainmen threw candy at Christmas.

Barrett Chase

about 15 years ago

What Eric said. As a kid, I used taconite pellets in my wrist-rocket and they truly are superb ammo -- aerodynamic, extremely hard, and literally deadly. There's nothing finer.

Swan

about 15 years ago

+1 on wrist rocket ammo.

This reminds of a story a few years back when birch logs were for selling for $50 a piece on Manhattan to decorate non-functional fireplaces.

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