TIANJIN, China – In the wake of the devas-tating explosion Aug. 12 in Tianjin, China, Joy Global reported that all of its employees in the immediate area are accounted for and safe. Joy Global’s TEDA facility is approximately 2.6km from where the incident occurred. One employee suffered minor injuries while evacuating the facility but is doing well and there is […]
Mining Features
MN iron, steel products exports up 2 percent
ST. PAUL – Minnesota businesses exported $5.2 billion worth of agricultural, mining and manufactured products in the second quarter, according to figures released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). State exports were down 3.8 percent from the same period a year ago, while overall U.S. exports were down 5.6 percent. Thirty-eight states saw declines in […]
Portion of County Road 715 closed September 1
ST. LOUIS COUNTY – With the coming extension of the ArcelorMittal mine pit, an approximately one-mile segment of County Road 715, also known as Pike River Drive and Whiskey Road, closed indefinitely beginning Tuesday, Sept. 1. County Road 715 will remain open on the north end from County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 21 to a point seven miles south. From […]
MSHA training for mine, quarry employees
DULUTH – MSHA 8-hour Annual Refresher Training (ART) courses are being held at the Tech Center in Duluth on the 2nd Monday of each month. The next session will be held on Monday, Sept. 14. Class hours are 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with registration at 7:45 a.m. The course fee is $95 per person. The course is for all […]
Taconite production taxes 101
Where the money goes: EverywhereI’ve done some rainy day reading in the last few weeks, riveting publications produced by the Minnesota Department of Revenue (the 2014 Mining Tax Guide), and the Office of the Legislative Auditor (2015 Evaluation Report on Mineral Taxation). We’re talking some real pageturners here. While I say that with tongue in cheek the truth is that they are actually quite […]
Is their distribution fair?
Taconite production taxes 101Why a production tax instead of a property tax? While Minnesota law defines 12 different taxes on taconite and iron ore, I am focusing on production taxes only as they are the ones that are allocated locally, and they constitute almost 80 percent of total taxes paid on taconite. Most people understand that production taxes take the place of property […]
Essar ramps up construction
NASHWAUK – While recent news about price, demand and employment hasn’t been favorable for Iron Range mining operations, the largest mining construction project here during this century is nonetheless moving ahead, executives say. Essar Steel Minnesota, a $1.9 billion project located north of Nashwauk on the former Butler mining site, is ramping up for a summer of large-scale activity with […]
Mining lessons for merit badges
CHISHOLM – When Geologist Frank Pezzutto asked the dozen or so Boy Scouts what gypsum crystals are used for in our everyday life, all but one stood there in Minnesota Discovery Center’s Hall of Geology baffled. “Sheet rock,” yelled one of the scouts. And he was right. That was just one of the many tidbits of information the 50-plus scouts […]
MN Power’s international project clears major hurdle
DULUTH — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) on Thursday unanimously approved Minnesota Power’s request for a Certificate of Need (CN) for the 500-kilovolt Great Northern Transmission Line. The project is designed to bring renewable and carbon free hydroelectricity from Manitoba to Minnesota Power’s customers in Northeastern Minnesota. Among the most important approvals needed for the 220-mile transmission line first […]
MP Foundation grants benefit communities
The Minnesota Power Foundation distributes more than $1 million a year to organizations and individuals in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota that share its priorities in education, community enrichment and human services. Its grants and educational programs benefit communities served by Minnesota Power; Superior Water, Light & Power; and BNI Coal. The Foundation’s regional advisory committees meet on an ongoing […]