On January 12, US carbon steel giant Steel Dynamics, Inc. announced the production of the first batch of iron nuggets at its Mesabi Nugget facility at Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota.
Utilizing the ITmk3 process developed by Kobe Steel, the plant began commissioning in the fourth quarter of 2009. By the end of December 2009, all individual production systems were operational and ready for the integration of the overall process to produce nuggets.
Stating that the development is a milestone for steel production, Steel Dynamics said, "This is the world's first commercial production of nuggets using the ITmk3 process. The process has the potential, ultimately, to revolutionize ironmaking and, indirectly, steelmaking."
Steel Dynamics, which owns 81 percent of the operation, has built the Minnesota nugget plant in cooperation with Kobe Steel Ltd. of Japan, which has licensed the technology and provided equipment and technical support.