Proposed iron nugget plant raises concerns

Proposed iron nugget plant raises concerns

As reported previously on SteelOrbis, a proposed commercial iron nugget plant, the first of its kind, has hit a sharp snag as it comes under increased scrutiny by local environmental groups. Notably, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and the Sierra Club have expressed great concern over the plant's effect on wildlife. Tops at the list of concerns are mercury air emissions and the impact they might have on fishing and hunting. Plant supporters claim construction would give the Minnesota mining industry a much-needed jolt and develop another market for taconite concentrate derived from the Iron Range iron ore mines. But environmental groups were quick to criticize the way in which the Minnesota legislature is trying to bypass normal environmental reviews in favor of keeping the project on the fast-track. The two sides met to discuss their concerns at Minnesota Pollution Control informational meeting last night, May 25, 2005. The new plant would produce nuggets containing about 96-98% iron. Such nuggets are produced by extracting iron from powdered waste rock using high-powered magnets. The iron is then combined with limestone and clay, rolled into 1-cm pellets and then oxidized at very high temperatures. Mesabi Nugget LLC has been lobbying furiously for the construction of the plant which would develop a new taconite-based industry on the Iron Range. Mesabi Nugget officials are hoping to have the plant operational by 2007.