Mesabi Metallics has started up its new iron ore mine and pellet plant in Nashwauk, Minnesota, marking the first new iron ore mine and pellet plant to start up in the US in 50 years.
The company completed its first production blast in July, fracturing around 211,000 tons of ore and opening the first ramp into the mine. Weekly blasting is expected to continue as the operation moves toward full-scale production and first pellet output.
The approximately USD 2.5 bln project is designed to produce up to 7 mln tons per year of high-grade direct reduction (DR) iron ore pellets for the steel industry. The pellets are intended for use as feedstock in direct reduced iron and electric arc furnace steelmaking, reducing reliance on imported DR-grade material.