298.34 Semitaconite, taxation, definitions.  

    Subdivision 1.    Semitaconite.  For the purposes of 
 sections 298.34 to 298.39, "semitaconite" is defined as altered 
 iron formation, altered taconite, ferruginous chert or 
 ferruginous slate which has been oxidized and partially leached 
 and in which the iron oxide is so finely disseminated that 
 substantially all of the iron-bearing particles of merchantable 
 grade are smaller than 20 mesh and which is not merchantable as 
 iron ore in its natural state, and which cannot be made 
 merchantable by simple methods of beneficiation involving only 
 crushing, screening, washing, jigging, heavy media separation, 
 spirals, cyclones, drying or any combination thereof.  

    Subd. 2.    Semitaconite deposit.  For the purposes of 
 sections 298.34 to 298.39, a "semitaconite deposit" is a deposit 
 of altered iron formation, altered taconite, composites of 
 iron-bearing and other minerals that exist either in mass as 
 altered iron formation, or as intermingled masses of altered 
 iron formation and other iron-bearing materials, from which, and 
 in accordance with good mining practice, the concentrates or 
 equivalent must be produced in an operation involving the 
 beneficiation of the semitaconite.  Such deposits include 
 stockpiles of semitaconite.  They also include rejects or 
 tailings that in themselves are of semitaconite type (as defined 
 in subdivision 1), produced from mining or beneficiation 
 operations.  Not included is any separable portion of 
 merchantable iron-bearing material if this separable portion is 
 of such size and so situated that in accordance with good 
 practice it can be mined and shipped.  Also not included is any 
 separable portion of iron-bearing material that can be made 
 merchantable by simple methods of beneficiation (as defined in 
 subdivision 1), if this separable portion is of such size and so 
 situated that in accordance with good practice it can be mined, 
 beneficiated, and shipped in a separate commercial operation.  

    Subd. 3.    Semitaconite facility.  For the purposes of 
 sections 298.34 to 298.39, a semitaconite facility is:  (a) a 
 beneficiating plant or a section or part thereof used solely in 
 the process of beneficiating semitaconite, including buildings, 
 machinery, tools, equipment and supplies used in connection 
 therewith; (b) machinery, tools, equipment and supplies used 
 solely in the mining of semitaconite or semitaconite deposit; 
 (c) in the case of a part or section of a mining or 
 beneficiating facility or buildings, machinery, tools, equipment 
 or supplies used to a substantial extent, but not solely, in the 
 mining or beneficiating of semitaconite or a semitaconite 
 deposit, such proportionate part of the valuation of the part of 
 the facility or the buildings, machinery, tools, equipment or 
 supplies that the use for mining or beneficiation of 
 semitaconite or semitaconite deposit bears to the whole use 
 thereof shall be considered a semitaconite mining or 
 beneficiation facility, and the remaining proportionate part 
 shall remain subject to taxation in the same manner as other 
 property, such proportion to be determined, and redetermined 
 from time to time, by the commissioner of revenue upon 
 application of the assessing officer or the owner of such 
 facility.  

    Subd. 4.    Taconite.  The term "taconite" is used 
 herein as defined in section 298.23. 

    HIST: Ex1959 c 81 s 1; 1973 c 582 s 3