Coal or Taconite?

A question has been nagging me of late: Which is worth more? Duluth’s taconite pile or Superior’s coal pile?

Finding these images is the extent of my personal research. I’m curious to hear your responses.

14 Comments

  1. udarnik udarnik on July 24, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    I would guess the taconite pile.

  2. TimK TimK on July 24, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    As of a little over a year ago (the most recent figures I could find) coal was $103.90 per dmtu and taconite was $101.00 per dmtu (dmtu= dry metric tonne unit).

  3. Codie Codie on July 24, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    It’s hard to say because coal still seems to be relatively abundant, but taconite is really low grade iron ore. Probably whichever one is bigger?

  4. Tom Maloney Tom Maloney on July 24, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    Nice figures, TimK. My initial guesses were that tacontie was worth more, but the coal pile looks bigger (to me). Now I learn they are worth roughly the same – then I guess coal is the victor. However, dmtu measures mass and not volume. Taconite seems more dense…probably still significantly more coal. I’m going with coal.

  5. Sam Sam on July 24, 2010 at 7:34 pm

    Which one leaches more heavy metals?

    https://bit.ly/cYj0Dz
    https://bit.ly/bUkp8E

  6. vicarious vicarious on July 24, 2010 at 8:36 pm

    The real question:

    Which “Earth-Booty” pays for more 8am Jack and Cokes at Our Place in Finland (MN) on a typical Tuesday morning?

    Answer: low-grade taconite.

  7. adEm adEm on July 25, 2010 at 2:41 am

    Q: Which are more delicious? Coal babies or T aconite babies?

    A: Coal babies.

  8. zra zra on July 25, 2010 at 7:23 am

    Taconite does far more damage than coal when used as slingshot ammo.

  9. hbh1 hbh1 on July 25, 2010 at 10:31 am

    *zings a taconite pellet from our bucket towards zra’s house*

  10. Jake Jake on July 26, 2010 at 9:04 am

    I love taco nite.

  11. Julian Julian on July 27, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    I don’t know, but it sure would be nice if they’d get rid of that crap and turn the harbor into a park.

  12. sweetandlow sweetandlow on July 27, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    @Julian

    Oh yeah, that’s a great idea. Get rid of jobs and shipping that help make Duluth what it is. I’m all for enjoying the bounty of or city, but come on. Bayfront, canal, and the north shore are sufficient for me!

  13. Freebird218 Freebird218 on July 28, 2010 at 6:58 am

    Hey Vicarious … Our Place? Why not try your luck with the witch of 4 Seasons?

  14. val val on November 9, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    I want to buy about 5 tons of hard coal to help heat the house. Does anyone know where I can purchase some?

Leave a Comment





The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image, audio. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here