Taconite Aggregate

Download the PowerPoint presentations from the NRRI Taconite Aggregate Research Program - Organizational and Strategy Meeting 2/09/2005
2 9 2006 Tac Agg Meeting General.pdf

Building on previous taconite aggregate research efforts, the NRRI’s Economic Geology Group is leading a comprehensive research and demonstration program that is designed to accelerate the usage of Minnesota’s vast quantities of taconite mining byproducts for construction aggregate purposes.  The three-year (2006-2008) program is being supported with $1,250,000 of federal funding from the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, and an additional $416,667 of matching funds from the Permanent University Trust Fund, Iron Range Resources, Minnesota Power, the Blandin Foundation, and Minnesota Technology, Inc.

Contact Larry Zanko

Major taconite aggregate program activities

The following activities comprise NRRI’s 2006-2008 taconite aggregate research program:

• Introduction of concept and material
• Preliminary research
• Transportation logistics and economics
• Communications and marketing
• Sample acquisition and preparation
• Aggregate testing
• Geology and mineralogy
• Chemistry
• Mix design
• Innovative concepts/uses
• Demonstration projects
  

Successful completion of the major research program activities will put Minnesota taconite mining byproducts in position for being an important and high-quality source of highway and construction aggregate materials for many markets.  Combined with the critical need for repairing, maintaining, and upgrading the nation’s transportation infrastructure, the potential for Minnesota’s taconite mining byproducts is tremendous.

Download the PowerPoint presentations from the NRRI Taconite Aggregate Research Program - Organizational and Strategy Meeting 2/09/2005 - 2_9_2006TacAggMeetingPPT.zip