WWII also saw the reopening of the Benson Mines, and the extension to the D&H North Creek branch to Tahawas mines. Republic Steel also bought the Lyon Mt mine about the time of the build-up to the war. These, along with Moriah, were the main Adirondack iron mines.
rcdrye Some specialty iron mines (particularly for magnetite in the Mineville area) continued in Essex County into the early 1980s. Some of the beaches along Lake Champlain on the New York side have "iron sand" which is almost pure iron in tiny pellets.
Some specialty iron mines (particularly for magnetite in the Mineville area) continued in Essex County into the early 1980s. Some of the beaches along Lake Champlain on the New York side have "iron sand" which is almost pure iron in tiny pellets.
Magnatite is a very stable mineral and forms black sand on beaches. Another stable mineral is garnet (which is mined in the North Creek area) and can form purple/brown beach sand.
Interesting, thanks!
WW2 was really the last gasp for iron ore mining and processing on the East Coast, not just in New York State but also in New Jersey. The NJ Skylands were once noted for iron but the industry died out when higher quality iron ore was discovered in the Mesabi Range. It had a brief resurgence during the World Wars due to the need for iron but died out again quickly.
The WWII era iron ore mill that closed a half century ago is to be torn down. It closed in 1971, and the Lake Champlain & Moriah was abandoned shortly thereafter. The shortline connected with the D&H at Port Henry, NY.
https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/death-of-an-adirondack-relic-mineville
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