Essential
Mineral Management
from Ag to Zn
since 1890
Located in Hibbing, MN
The Heart of the Mesabi Iron Range
Our Founders
John M. Longyear
Russell M. Bennett
Gov. John S. Pillsbury
George A. Pillsbury
Charles A. Pillsbury
1890 Memorandum of Agreement
Bennett and Longyear to receive a one-half interest in the Pillsbury lands if they can find ore. Similar arrangement for Wright & Davis lands.
Exploration Begins
E. J. Longyear is hired to explore the lands. He brings the first diamond drill to the Mesabi Range in 1890.
Iron Ore Discovered
In 1892, E. J. Longyear and his crew find rich ore near Chisholm. This discovery formalizes the joint venture partnership and becomes their first mine, the Pillsbury.
Meriden Iron Company est. 1903
With the onset of mining in 1902, the joint venture needed a representative on the Mesabi Range to oversee its leases.
Incorporation
The Original Land Companies
1906
· Sargent Land Company
· Sutton Land Company
· Kearsarge Land Company
1912
· Keewatin Mining Company
Superior Mineral Resources
2009—Land ownership consolidated into a single entity, Meriden remains as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Who We Are
As the 19th century was winding down, few suspected that iron ore was hidden beneath the vast northern Minnesota timberlands. Among those few, our founders, whose intuition and foresight became the Mesabi Miracle, which has grown into a comprehensive mineral management enterprise.
- Decades of mineral ownership and management have perfected our business
- Knowledge and pride of workmanship passed through multiple generations
- A strong mix of seasoned mineral industry veterans and eager new talent
Mesabi Miracle
