Hill Annex Mine

Useful Information

Location:	North edge of Calumet along State Highway 169.
Open:	closed. [2026]
Fee:	closed. [2026]
Classification:	Iron Mine opencast mine
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Hill Annex Mine, P.O. Box 376, Calumet, Minnesota 55716, Tel: +1-218-247-7215.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1892	land first leased for mineral exploration.
1900	leased again.
1913	mining started.
1978	mine closed, bought by the IRRRB.
1988	made a State Park by the Minnesota Legislature.
JUN-2024	Hill-Annex Mine State Park permanently closed.

Geology

The iron ore is found in two different layers, an iron-bearing metamorphic formation and a metamorphosed sedimentary rock formation. These formations are very old, about 2.7 Billion years, from thePrecambrium or Archean era. The high grade ore was easy to melt and thus very valuable in former times.

Description

Hill Annex Mine produced 63 million tons of iron ore during 65 years of mining. At first horses provided the power, later steam and then electrical power replaced the horses. So the mine shows a wide range of mining history.

After the mine was closed, the place was sold to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) for $1. The IRRRB developed the site and gave tours, they converted the former clubhouse into a visitor center and museum. The open pit mine has become a lake frequented by many animals.

The site has still massive iron ore deposits, ore stockpiles, and historic tailings, which may be mined, and so there was the idea to reopen the mine. In 2024 preparation and planning for the new mine started, in 2025 ore mining was planned to be resumed. At the moment we do not know if it really happened [2026] As a result there are no mine tours possible any more the site is closed for tourists. The reopening of a State Park as a mine is quite unique, and is a result of the formation of the park in 1988. The documents establishing the state park recognized the site’s School Trust mineral status and future mining potential. They specifically preserved the path to return to active mining. The DNR operated the state park based on a annual surface lease, but does not own the land. Even weirder, the land is School Trust Land and 80% of all proceeds from state leases and mineral royalties go to the Permanent School Trust Fund. This organization supports K-12 public schools in Minnesota.

And there is a little hope, the Clubhouse Museum will be relocated and again open to the public.