The Iron Mining
Association of Minnesota (IMA) celebrates the ribbon cutting of
Minnesota’s newest state park, the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State
Park.
The state park, combined with the Soudan Underground
Mine, covers more than 10 miles of undeveloped lakeshore on Lake Vermilion. The
park also sits on former Minnesota iron mining land – five miles were donated
by U.S. Steel in 1965, and the remaining land was conveyed by U.S. Steel in
2010 to create the new park.
“This is yet another great example of iron mining and
tourism working hand-in-hand to create recreational opportunities for
generations to come,” IMA President Kelsey Johnson said. “Former iron mine land
is today used for bike trails, an ATV park, swimming and fishing lakes, and now
Minnesota’s newest state park.”
Ground was broken for the campground in 2015, and the now
completed park is touted as a “next generation” park that includes energy
efficient utilities, accessible grounds and trails, and the best Wi-Fi of any
of Minnesota’s state parks.
The practice of reclaiming mine land for future use is
common among today’s iron mines, which often plant vegetation even while mining
is still active, Johnson said. While this is a key value of the iron mining
industry today, Johnson notes this work has come a long way since the Soudan
Underground Mine closed in 1962.
“This beautiful state park is just another reason why
Minnesotans can be proud of our dedicated, responsible, innovative iron mining
industry,” Johnson said. “After more than 130 years of iron mining, our region
is still home to the cleanest land and water in the state.”
Posted: Jun 7th, 2018