Taconite mining has become more popular since the rock became rare. Taconite was once considered "waste rock", but today it is truly precious. Because the Gogebic Iron Range contains about three-quarters of all the nation's taconite, people across the country want to take control of it and begin mining. While taconite mining would do some good for the community, such as creating tons of jobs and boosting the economy for a while, there are too many risks. Taconite mining has a negative effect on the environment and health. The Gogebic mountain range could potentially become the largest open-pit iron ore mine in the world. In the United States, taconite was beginning to be considered a waste rock. But, as the supply of taconite was slowly dwindling, the mining industry suddenly began to view taconite as a significant and valuable resource. Many people don't know exactly what taconite is or what it is used for. Taconite is a low-grade magnetic iron ore used to make steel (iron mining in the Lake Superior basin). Geologists say about 20 percent of the nation's remaining iron is buried in the Gogebic (Ron.) range. There will be many “phases” or steps just to mine all the taconite located in Northland. The first phase of the site will be a functional mine consisting of an open pit 4 to 4.5 miles long and approximately 0.3 to 1.5 miles wide. The mine will follow the linear alignment of the iron formation. The first phase of this mining project will last approximately 35 years (Wagner). There are also many steps used in taconite mining; first, the miners detonate the taconite. Taconite must be detonated with small explosives as it is a very hard rock (MDNR). These explosions would occur at least once a week. Usually… half the paper… ends up in lakes, streams, aquifers for the city to drink, and in the air (Wisconsin Governor Walker signs iron ore mining bill). Materials that cause "acid mine drainage" as well as hazardous substances such as mercury and arsenic are found in mine waste (Gogebic Taconite mine). All in all, Taconite mining will be absolutely terrible for human health. While many people believe that Taconite mining will be good for the economy, community, and jobs, it will actually only cause a lot of harm to the community. Taconite mining has negative environmental and health effects. Mining will cause cancer to community members, such as mesothelioma. It will create a huge impact on the environment, water, air and living organisms. Wild rice prairies could become extinct in the area. Overall it would just create a huge mess that may never be able to be cleaned up.