Cliffs recognizes the value of reducing environmental impacts associated with its operations. Its Environmental Policy provides the basis for uniform environmental performance through an Environmental Management System (EMS) that conforms with the ISO 14001 Standard. ISO 14001 certifications are a corporate goal that will have greater significance as the company expands its international interests. An objective review of our performance is regularly provided through a formal audit conducted by independent professionals and is just one of the mechanisms used to push for continual improvement.
To facilitate monitoring of emissions and operating parameters and to comply with the Taconite Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Rule, an Environmental Information Management System (EIMS) and improved emissions controls have been installed at Cliffs’ U.S. operations. The EIMS has the capability to be expanded to support other operating functions with the ability to provide useful, timely information that improves environmental understanding and facilitates improved environmental performance.
Cliffs has a number of specific initiatives in the works to continue its attempt to reduce its environmental impact. Some examples are as follows:
- Cliffs’ Minnesota operations have joined in a cooperative State-Federal-Industry research project to investigate possible means of reducing furnace emissions to address national and state concerns about mercury emissions from combustion sources.
- We continue to explore various “clean” coal fuel technologies and alternate fuel sources such as low-BTU synthetic gas and lower-cost Western coals to manage long-term energy costs. Under consideration is a project that would provide a source of low-cost, clean gas for the taconite furnaces as well as other energy requirements. The process would be capable of combusting coal, biomass, and other energy sources such as shredded scrap tires that currently are landfilled.
- Cliffs’ core business, supplying iron to the world’s steel mills, requires energy in many forms, from the fuel to run mining equipment, to the electrical power for its mills and the heat necessary to convert the iron ore in its furnaces. To meet the challenge of maintaining efficient operations, balanced with recognition of energy effects on global warming, we have formed an interdisciplinary technical team to investigate alternative energy sources, improvements in operating technologies, and innovative emission controls.
These and similar projects fuel our commitment to serve as a socially responsible custodian of the land on and around our facilities, helping to create a brighter future for our employees and the communities in which we live and operate.
