Mining Features

“That’ll leave a mark”

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The Sudbury Impact and Minnesota’s geologic past


Approximately 1.8 billion years ago, the Earth would be forever changed when it was suddenly struck by a meteor. No, this was not the impact that killed the dinosaurs. That would not occur for another 1.7 billion years. This particular geologic event has since been called the Sudbury Impact. And while this meteor hit in present day Greater Sudbury, Ontario, […]

Iron and steel industries are all in for “decarbonization”

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Minnesota has an abundance of iron ore mineral resources. The Mesabi Iron Range produces some 40 million tons of taconite pellets annually, providing 75 – 85 percent of the U.S. domestic iron for steel production. Fossil coal and natural gas provide the energy and the carbon essential for iron and steelmaking. Minnesota’s iron industry has made significant strides to reduce […]

The Soo Locks are a nationally critical infrastructure

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Major construction continues for New Lock at the Soo

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Lock at the Soo project remains on schedule as major construction continues with phases 2 and 3 this season. Joint ventures Kokosing-Alberici (Upstream Approach Walls, Phase 2), and Kokosing, Alberici, Traylor (New Lock, Phase 3) have a busy construction season ahead of them. “Since resuming major construction this […]

Duluth Seaway Port Authority climbs in Green Marine stewardship rating

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The Duluth Seaway Port Authority and its terminal operations on Rice’s Point ranked among the nation’s top performers in the recently released Green Marine 2022 environmental performance report, posting a 4.0 score on Green Marine’s five-point scale, an improvement from 3.8 in 2021. The overall average for port authority participants in 2022 was 3.09 The annual report rates port authority […]

A sweet partnership on mining company land

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Embarrass bees flourish at NewRange Copper Nickel


EMBARRASS – One might not have thought a young Jeanette Mellesmoen would have grown up to be a beekeeper. When Mellesmoen was about 4 years old, she stumbled into a hornet nest while blueberry picking. A swarm of the stinging insects emerged and her mother whisked her away to safety, but not before Mellesmoen had been stung many times. For […]

Paul Peltier is ready to tackle TAA challenges

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Meet the new RAMS executive director


My name is Paul Peltier, and I am honored to introduce myself to you as the next director of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS). Founded in 1939, RAMS serves the collective interests of the Iron Range by promoting problem-solving and collaboration between its members and the region. RAMS’ membership consists of 27 cities, 22 townships and 15 […]

Mineland Vision Partnership celebrated its 25th year

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Mineland Vision Partnership (MVP) celebrated its 25th anniversary in June, marking a quarter century of local stakeholders working together to shape future land use in northeastern Minnesota. MVP is a regional collaboration of mining, business, government and community interests who represent Minnesota’s Iron Range. The group works to help identify lands for economic, recreation and resource-based uses that meet mining […]

Cleveland-Cliffs announces it proposes to acquire U.S. Steel

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Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (“Cleveland Cliffs” or “Cliffs”) is publicly announcing (August 13, 2023, at 3:32 p.m. EDT) a previously private offer that it had presented to the board of the United States Steel Corporation (“U.S. Steel”) on July 28, 2023. That offer, which was reiterated in writing to the U.S. Steel Board on August 11, 2023, proposed acquiring 100 percent of […]

U.S. Steel confirms receipt of proposals from Cleveland-Cliffs

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United States Steel Corporation (“U.S. Steel” or “the company”) on Sunday (August 13, 2023, 7:04 p.m. EDT) confirmed that it has invited Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (“Cleveland-Cliffs”) to participate in its previously announced strategic review process. The Company previously disclosed it has commenced a formal review process, with the assistance of outside financial and legal advisors, to evaluate strategic alternatives for the […]

Coleraine restores historic “The Log Church”

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Restored landmark church enhances heritage tourism

COLERAINE – The city of Coleraine repaired and upgraded the exterior and deck of the historic Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, often referred to as “The Log Church.” The scope of work included grading and staining the deck, chinking and caulking the logs to prevent water traps and adding vertical log stair spindles. The church is a highly visible […]


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