Taconite

Taconite, rock containing about 30% iron ore, from which iron is made. The noniron-bearing part of taconite is called chert. Because taconite is very hard, it takes a number of steps to extract the iron ore material, which is speckled throughout the chert. After the rock is initially blasted or cracked, it is broken down further and crushed. Magnets then can attract the iron ore and separate it from the pulverized chert. A large deposit of taconite is found in the Mesabi Range in Minnesota. Taconite is named after the Taconic Mountains of southern New England, where taconite is also found.