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Bob Kelleher
Duluth, Minn.

US Steel recalling workers to Keewatin plant

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U.S. Steel has told union officials it's restarting its KeeTac taconite pellet operation and mine in Keewatin.

Steelworkers local 2660 President Jack Thronson said workers will be recalled beginning next week after being Keetac was idled a year ago, laying off 400 workers.

Thronson said the restart is good news for the small Iron Range community.

"Guys are happy; real happy over this, because a lot of guys would be running out of their health insurance and their unemployment at the end of this month, so it's coming at a good time," he said.

Thronson doesn't know how many workers will be recalled, and how quickly, or when pellet production actually resumes. U.S. Steel would not comment beyond saying they make decisions based on customer demand.

With KeeTac's restart, HibTac in Hibbing is the only Minnesota taconite operation still idled. HibbTac is scheduled to reopen in the spring.