Cleveland-Cliffs
North American Mining Operations
Northshore Mining Company, which originally operated as Reserve Mining Company, was the first taconite processing facility in North America when it opened in 1955. After Reserve filed for bankruptcy in 1986, the plant was downsized to 4.8 million tons per year capacity and reopened in 1990 as Northshore Mining Company. Cleveland-Cliffs purchased the operation from Cyprus Minerals in 1994, and has 100% ownership.
Northshore Mine: Statistical Information
The following numbers are approximate.
- Location: Located on the Mesabi Iron Range; mining located in Babbitt, Minnesota, on the northeastern end of the Mesabi iron formation; processing facilities located in Silver Bay, Minnesota
- Workforce: 511 employees
- Annual Payroll (including benefits): $53 million
- Annual Local Services and Supplies Purchased: $145 million
- Includes Annual Electric Power and Utilities Purchased: $21 million
- Minnesota and Local Taxes: $11 million
- Taconite Production Tax: $9 million
- Total Annual Local Economic Impact: $209 million
NORTHSHORE FACILITY
Type of Ore: Magnetite
Through 2006, the mine had produced 285,200,538 gross tons of pellets.
Northshore produced its first pellets in 1955.
2006 Production: 5.1 million gross tons
2007 Production Estimate: At or near capacity
Annual Rated Capacity: 4.8 million gross tons
The Northshore Mining Company is owned by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
