Mineview in the Sky
 Visitor Center
US Hwy 53 North, Virginia, MN.
(218) 741-2344
operated by the
Laurentian Chamber of Commerce
May through September 2010
The Mineview opened May 9th and will be open only on Saturday and Sunday until Memorial Day then 7 days week.     
  Gates open at 9:00 a.m. and close 6:00 p.m.
GIFT SHOP closes at 5:30p.m.

Pictures Coming, Check Back Soon!

From the overlook at Mineview In The Sky Visitors Center, one can survey the beautiful panorama created by the Rouchleau Group of mines.  This open pit expanse stretches nearly three miles long, a half-mile wide and 450 feet deep.  The Rouchleau Observation Complex was originally built as a vantage point for pit foremen to oversee the entire operation, and today permits visitors to survey the view on their own.  U.S. Steel Corporation and its predecessors have operated the Rouchleau Mine, explored by Louis Rouchleau of Duluth, since the first shipment in 1893 was made from the Missabe Mountain site.  Rouchleau Mine and the resulting Rouchleau Group of mines began as underground shafts.  The Lone Jack, Union, Ohio, Moose, enterprise, Commodore and other mines ran a few feet underground, eventually joining together.  Chronic underground settling and advanced technology transformed the mines to a large composite open pit operation.  Within Virginia, the Rouchleau Group of mines has produced more than 300 million gross tons of iron ore to date.

The “King of the Lode”

Unit #7465, or better known as “King of the Lode”, was donated from LTV Steel Mining Company to the mine view group after being deadlined in 1998.  The truck was in need of major repairs after having accumulated over 80,000 operating hours.

This truck was the world’s first 240-ton, two axle, diesel electric haul truck.  “King of the Lode” was also the first of its kind to be placed into operation on the Mesabi Iron Range.

“King of the Lode” completed a distinguished 16-year career after being manufactured in Oklahoma by Wiseda Ltd. in 1982.  It entered service in an Idaho phosphate mine and moved to Wyoming to work in a coal mine before arriving at LTV Steel in late 1988. “King of the Lode” performed 10 years of service for the mine and moved over 17 million tons of stripping and taconite materials.

The move of this 300,000+ pound haul truck, measuring over 44 feet long, 24 feet wide and 22 feet high, was not a simple task.  This undertaking involved detailed planning between suppliers and government agencies alike.  Mineview in the Sky became home for the “King of the Lode” haul truck to await visitors from every state in the nation and many countries around the world.

Any questions regarding any entry please call the Laurentian Chamber Office @
(218) 741-2717
or email us at admin@laurentianchamber.org.