Empire Iron Mine, Michigan

The Empire Mine is an Upper Peninsula iron ore mine established in 1963. Formerly operated by Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc., the mine was capable of producing 5.5 million tons of ore annually, employed over 350 people, and was located next to the older (and still active) Tilden Mine. After a few years of temporary shutdowns, the mine was closed for good in 2016, having reached "the end of its useful life."