[NASHWAUK, MN] – On Thursday, June 19, Mesabi Metallics Company LLC (Mesabi Metallics) invites community business leaders and the public to tour its project site to see construction progress and learn more about the operations of Minnesota’s first new mine and pellet plant in nearly 50 years. Buses will depart from Nashwauk City Hall at 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The event is free of charge, and all are welcome.
Following the public site tours, Mesabi Metallics will host a town hall event at Nashwauk City Hall at 6 p.m. featuring presenters Larry Sutherland, President & Chief Operating Officer of Mesabi Metallics and Greg Heyblom, Mayor of Nashwauk and member of the Build Mesabi, Build Itasca! advisory council.
“The entire team at Mesabi Metallics, including the 400 union construction workers on site every day, is making incredible progress, and we can’t wait to show the community what we’re accomplishing,” said Joe Broking, President & CEO of Mesabi Metallics. “This project doesn’t belong to us; it belongs to the region, and we want people to see firsthand our progress, the scale of our operations, the environmental technologies we’re implementing and the opportunities we’re creating for the Iron Range.”
The event this summer follows a public tour event Mesabi Metallics held last fall, which approximately 130 community members attended.
“We were thrilled with the turnout at our last public tour event, and we received requests from many community members to repeat the event,” said Sutherland. “Opening our site for public tours is about transparency, education and community connection. This project is historical for the Iron Range and for the state of Minnesota, and we invite our communities to be with us every step of the way.”
On the bus tour, guests will:
- See the construction progress of Mesabi’s Direct Reduction grade pellet plant, which is on track for completion in the first quarter of 2026.
- Discover how Mesabi’s operations contribute to local and regional economies.
- Learn about Mesabi’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
- Time: Tours departing at 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tours will last approximately one hour.
- Location: Buses depart from Nashwauk City Hall, 301 Central Ave, Nashwauk, MN 55769
- Town Hall event will follow at Nashwauk City Hall at 6 p.m.
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About Mesabi Metallics Company LLC
Mesabi Metallics Company LLC, an Essar Group company, is constructing a state-of-the-art mine to support a seven million ton per year beneficiation plant and a seven million ton per year pellet plant to produce premium Direct Reduction (DR) grade pellets, with multiple decades of resources over 16,000 acres in Nashwauk, Minnesota. Once completed, it will be the first new mine and pellet plant in Minnesota in almost 50 years. Mesabi’s DR grade iron ore pellets will be strategically positioned to meet the demand of the Electric Arc Furnace market, ensuring supply chain security for DR grade iron pellets in the United States and replacing foreign imported pellets. The endeavor is one of the largest private sector investments in Minnesota. Mesabi Metallics has invested over $1.8 billion in the project and will further invest $500 million to the complete the project in the first quarter of 2026 and begin commercial operations.
Mesabi Metallics is dedicated to being a positive force in the community. The company minimizes its environmental footprint through innovative practices and efficient resource management, with an eye toward enabling the production of decarbonized Green Steel. Mesabi also proudly partners with Iron Range communities to support local projects and priorities, participating in educational initiatives, development programs and environmental stewardship efforts.
Mesabi Metallics’ media kit is available for download here.
