Writing a story for the future at Mesabi Metallics

Ask almost any one of us on the Range about our mining heritage and you’ll start to hear our stories. The grit of our great-grandparents and those before them who worked day in and out to build prosperity in our region. The pride of our grandparents who contributed to the war effort by supplying Minnesota ore for ships, aircraft and artillery. The heartbreak of the 1980s when ore prices slumped and jobs were lost.

We’ve got stories of our past—the grit, the pride and the heartbreak.

But at Mesabi Metallics, we’re offering a story for the future. And it’s a story of strength.

In just over a year, Mesabi Metallics will turn heads and open the first new taconite mine and pellet plant in Minnesota in nearly 50 years, located in Nashwauk, the first mining town in Itasca County, on the site of the old Butler Mine that closed in 1985.

Mesabi will be a milestone of pride in the long history of Minnesota mining. This is an honor and a responsibility that we are committed to.

We are on track for our project to be ready for commercial operations by the first quarter of 2026. We will create more than 350 high-paying, family-sustaining jobs on the Iron Range, and we will contribute $28 million annually to school districts, local governments and the state government.

Our mine will be powered by cutting edge, environmentally friendly technologies, like electrically-powered shovels and drills, the best-available air pollution control systems and more.

Through the skill of our operators, maintainers and our engineers, we will produce 7 million metric tons of Direct-Reduction grade iron ore pellets every year. Our product will be world-class, because the Mesabi Range is world-class. Our pellets will have very high iron content combined with some of the lowest levels of impurities compared to other mines, which will materially reduce carbon emissions in the production of steel, a necessary step in creating a stronger, greener future for generations to come.

But enough about what we will do. Let’s talk about what we’ve already achieved.

Our construction is over 70% complete, and we have nearly 300 construction workers on site daily working to finish the job. Most of our major equipment is on site and ready for installation. We have invested more than $1.8 billion in the project, with another investment of $550 million on the way—making this project one of the largest private investments in Minnesota history.

We are accelerating our recruitment efforts, adding construction workers and hiring new employees every day, from engineers and supervisors to administrative professionals.

And since 2023, we have donated more than $400,000 to local communities and organizations because we believe in the Range and we know that the strength of our company is only as strong as the strength of the communities where we live, work and play.

We are focused on this work, and we will finish the job.

In 1985, the Butler Mine in Nashwauk closed abruptly, laying off about 450 employees who devoted their careers to Minnesota iron ore. Minnesotans know heartbreak and loss, yes. But keep your eyes on Nashwauk, because my hope is that the day Mesabi Metallics produces its first pellet, all of Minnesota will celebrate, and our mine will become part of the story of grit, pride and resilience that is passed down for generations.

Joe Broking is the President & CEO of Mesabi Metallics, an advanced-construction stage taconite mine and pellet plant located in Nashwauk, Minnesota.

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